Octavia Spencer spoke to the LATimes after accepting a best ensemble award for The Help Monday night at the Hollywood Awards.

Spencer, who plays an AA Sponsor in the upcoming James Ponsoldt-directed Smashed and is set to star as a Las Vegas casino card dealer in Diablo Cody‘s next untitled project, said the following regarding the new role opportunities that have come her way following The Help‘s popularity:

“I’m so thrilled. I never, ever would have had that opportunity before now,” Spencer said. “I’ve never really gotten to play roles, I’ve only gotten to play parts … a part usually is like something to facilitate the plot. To do a role where a character experiences some type of change from beginning to end is something I’ve never had the opportunity to do. So it’s wonderful.”

Watch Ms. Spencer in the video below.