Kate Mara: 'Rare' for two female actors to star in Hollywood film

Actress Kate Mara believes her new leading role alongside another female actress is the start of a change in the industry.

The 32-year-old stars alongside Jessica Chastain in The Martian.

But the House of Cards star admits it's "rare" to have that in Hollywood.

She said: "I'm so happy and relieved that you even say it's a big thing, because that just means that hopefully change is sort of in the process of happening."

Kate has been acting since she was nine, but says working with Jessica Chastain in Ridley Scott's new film was a breakthrough moment.

"That to me was special, not only because I really love her as an actor, but because it's so rare to be in a movie with another girl," she told Newsbeat.

Kristen Wigg is also in The Martian, who's lead role is played by Matt Damon.

Kate said: "I am always surrounded by men, which is fine but it's also very telling that there just aren't enough stories written for females. But also just not enough characters.

"That just makes no sense because more than half the population are female."

Actress Marion Cotillard was recently quoted in an interview with Porter magazine as saying: "For me, it doesn't create equality, it creates separation.

"I mean, I don't qualify myself as a feminist. We need to fight for women's rights, but I don't want to separate women from men."

Hollywood actresses including Sienna Miller, Selma Hayek, Maisie Williams, and Charlize Theron have all spoken about the lack of equal roles behind and in front of the camera in Hollywood.

The Martian is out in cinemas from Friday.

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