Octavia Spencer’s new role as Ma, the psychopathic drinking buddy of a bunch of teenagers, is nothing like anything she’s ever played before.

Her first foray into horror, this terrifying-looking role will not only allow Spencer to play the lead, but also push her range, something which she feels has been limited previously.

Her performances in supporting roles like Minny Jackson in The Help or Zelda in The Shape of Water have won over audiences, thanks to both her warmth and comedic timing. But while these heart warming and hilarious parts have made her a well-known name, Spencer has revealed that they have left her feeling typecast.

“I felt people always wanted to see me as the nurturer, or the sage, or the sassy black woman. And the funny thing is none of them are real life,” says Spencer, reported by BBC News.

“So I thought, well, since I’m not doing anything that remotely resembles me anyway, I may as well go for gold and just do something completely out of that range at the other end of the spectrum,” she continues, explaining why she was attracted to the project.

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