If you need a new drama about journalists seeking a fresh start and the truth, you should catch up on ABC’s Alaska Daily. We got to chat with Grace Dove (she/her), who plays Roz Friendly, a native Alaskan and star reporter whose family member was the victim of an unsolved crime, one part of the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) crisis.

When Grace isn’t starring alongside Hilary Swank (or Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant), she’s directing the next generation. To that, Grace says, “When a director can really connect, support, and lift you up, you feel like you’re invincible. I especially want to be that director for young Indigenous actors.”

Let’s see what else she has to say about her roles, career, and Native American representation in Hollywood today.

What drew you to Alaska Daily?
The covering of MMIW and Two Spirit girls and boys was definitely what drew me to the story. Oh, and journalism. I actually had my first reporting job when I was 16, so this role was like the best of both worlds.

You also directed a short film about grief and loss in the Native American community. What was that experience like?
I was brought on as a first time director during a point in my career where I had been working for so long, yet had seen such little representation. With Kiri and the Girl, I felt like I had something to share, a voice to use. It was when I first arrived at the set that I realized my body of work had prepared me to be the director I always wanted in my corner as an actor—a female, Indigenous director.

I also just felt really comfortable. I had Indigenous people all around me, as well as allies. And even our young actor, Isla Grant, is now crushing it. She is out there representing us. She’s the girl I wanted to be when I was that age. Through our little short film, I’m supporting younger actors but honoring the directors that came before me like Loretta Todd and Marie Clements. Those are 2 Indigenous women that have directed me and taught me so much.

Speaking of change, how have you seen Native American representation in media develop since you started acting?
It’s been a beautiful and painful journey. The first roles I went out for were very challenging because sometimes they weren’t for Indigenous roles. It was a generic “person of color” to put someone with a bit of tint in there, but who had no real depth or culture. When I did The Revenant, that was the first time I started seeing true change. Now I’m at a place in my life where I am very specific about my roles. When Alaska Daily came up, I knew it was done in the right way. We have 2 Alaska Native writers, we are hiring Indigenous actors, we are bringing in Indigenous jewelry and costumes. It’s done so authentically. I think there’s still room for Indigenous creatives to do it completely from the ground up, but we are taking those steps.

What’s your fav Native American TV show?
I can’t help it, but I’m obsessed with Reservation Dogs right now—

We love that show! It’s so good!
Yes! I love that it’s reaching other people aside from Indigenous audiences, because isn’t that the point? Our stories are relatable. So please, Hollywood, give us space to make our shows because everyone will love it.