Reese Witherspoon on Writing Thriller Novel: 'Wanted a Woman at the Centre'

Los Angeles – Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon says she was determined to place a female protagonist at the heart of her debut thriller novel, Gone Before Goodbye.

The 49-year-old star collaborated with best-selling author Harlan Coben on the novel, which follows Maggie, a talented surgeon caught in a deadly conspiracy.

Speaking to BBC News, Witherspoon said, “Growing up, I always saw James Bond movies—my dad was obsessed—but I wondered why the women were always in bikinis, and what did that have to do with solving the crime? If I was going to write a thriller, I wanted the woman to be at the centre. She would have a unique skill set that everyone desired, without needing to shoot guns or fight bad guys. She’s smart, intuitive, and an exceptional surgeon.”

Witherspoon revealed that her upbringing in a medical military family inspired the characters in Gone Before Goodbye. “I grew up on a military base, surrounded by parents who were doctors and military personnel. There was this sense of service and purpose—serving humanity, but also the country,” she said.

The Oscar-winning actress also emphasized her mission to champion strong female leads in Hollywood through her company, Hello Sunshine.

“I always noticed the gaps in storytelling. I started Hello Sunshine in 2011 because I wasn’t seeing complex stories for women in film. Over 30 years as an actor, I’ve built relationships and experiences, and now I want to shine a light on women ready for these opportunities,” she explained.

 

With inputs from IANS

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