As far as Hollywood actresses go, Maggie Gyllenhaal is nothing short of a national treasure. She’s straight-talking, politically engaged, and her complex roles always defy our expectations.

Take her role as Eileen “Candy” Merrell, the savvy sex-worker-turned-porn-director in HBO’s The Deuce, a classic example of the kind of character Gyllenhaal so expertly brings to life. Instead of being written off as one-dimensional, Gyllenhaal completely upends our assumptions, bringing Candy to life with a level of wit and nuance rarely seen on screen.

Gyllenhaal doesn’t always feel completely in control, though. Even though the actress is a leading figure in the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements against sexual harassment and gender inequality, navigating an industry fraught with sexism and misogyny remains a struggle.

Maggie Gyllenhaal says she was brainwashed into feeling guilty about equal pay