“What was so important to me was to play a female genius,” Felicity Jones tells Vanity Fair in a newly released cover story. The Oscar-nominated actress is discussing her latest role, which sees her playing Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Set to hit theaters December 25, “On the Basis of Sex” takes places in 1971 and portrays Ginsburg arguing her first gender-discrimination case.

The “Rogue One” star told the mag that she’s acted in about two dozen films, “only three of which have been directed by women. We’ve got to change those odds,” she says.

“On the Basis of Sex” is directed by two-time Emmy winner Mimi Leder, who has been outspoken about the sexist scrutiny female directors face.”Given the current political climate, it feels so important to be directing this movie right now — Ruth paved the way for all of us,” Leder tells the mag. “It’s not just the entertainment business that’s full of scumbags.”

Jones adds, “I always had very strong women in my life. I’ve always had a sense of how important it is to have an identity as a woman that is allowed to be powerful in the workplace.”

The “Theory of Everything” star emphasizes that “people have such an appetite for good stories” — but those appetites are often underestimated and misunderstood. “All those boundaries, all those ridiculous limitations, are disappearing,” she observes. ” I really believe that audiences want to see women of all ages. They don’t care who’s in them, what races they are, what gender or non-gender — they just want good storytelling.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the trailblazing “genius” Jones is playing in “On the Basis of Sex,” you may want to check out Betsy West and Julie Cohen’s “RBG,” a doc about Ginsburg released earlier this year.