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It's the question that every actress on cable television is being asked: Why are so many great film actresses working in cable? Kyra Sedgwick in "The Closer" on TNT, Mary-Louise Parker in Showtime's "Weeds," Glenn Close on FX's "Damages."

"It's undeniable that something is going on," said Holly Hunter, the latest female film star to make a move to the small screen, with last summer's critically acclaimed "Saving Grace," airing Monday nights on the TNT network.

"I actually believe that it's probably because of cable," she added. "It probably really and truly is that cable has kind of changed the landscape, semi-permanently at least, because it's a moneymaker and it happens to be alternative. It's not in competition with the network. And so the risks can be greater because less cash is at risk."

While the petite Hunter – a native of Conyers, Ga. – is perhaps best known for her work as the tough TV news producer in "Broadcast News," her most acclaimed role to date has been the mute bride in 1993's "The Piano," which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress.

But for right now, she's working on "Saving Grace," a drama about Grace Hanadarko, a self-destructive cop who's given a last chance by a tobacco-chewing angel named Earl (Leon Rippy). Hunter is also one of the producers on the show, which means she was doubly pleased when it was renewed for a second season less than three weeks after its mid-July debut.

"She's a whole person," Hunter said about the role. "And her sexuality was absolutely wrapped up in who she is, and every aspect of her is that way for me. All of the opposites are unified in her. The fact that she's a drinker, it was a great opportunity to explore the romantic elements of drinking. And it's also an opportunity to show the vulgarity of someone and how ugly someone can be. And that's flesh and blood. It's a part of our lives."

Hunter has said, in public, that she doesn't watch much TV.

"I hate to say that," she said, laughing. "I sound like a snob, but I don't."

In fact, when she was first approached to do the show, she initially asked if it could be done as a feature.

"Because that's what I've done so I couldn't imagine it, the leap of not knowing what would happen next," she said, adding that she eventually realized the benefits of a weekly show.

"Film doesn't have this kind of character development opportunity," she said, "and it doesn't give me the opportunity to live this life with these people week after week, month after month. I've always want to work with the same cast, so this has been the privilege. It's kind of like a repertory company, but you're doing a different play every week."

What more could an actress ask for?