Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Spring Cover Girl

If you follow us on our social networks, you have seen our new Spring cover and have heard us rave about our cover girl. We haven't yet released anything other than the cover, until...well, now. We've kept you all on your toes long enough, so here's to a happy Thursday to all of you. We present you...Miss Mary Elizabeth Winstead, the girl of everyone's dreams.

She has a name that belongs in an era far removed from ours and a visage that immediately transported me to Victorian England. If actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead would have met me at Hollywood’s Beachwood Café in a bustle and a corset, I would have sworn she had walked right off the page of a Jane Austen novel. Not the case though. In fact, she grew up in North Carolina and Utah in the nineties and has been acting since childhood in mostly action and horror films.

With the exception of her portrayal as Mary Todd Lincoln in the skewed historical tale "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," the roles this beauty has played are in strong juxtaposition to her elegance. Action flicks such as "Final Destination 3," "Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World," "Live Free and Die Hard," and "A Good Day to Die Hard," dominated her resume until she stunned critics and fans alike with her portrayal of recovering alcoholic Kate and wife to Aaron Paul’s alcoholic Charlie in 2012’s Smashed. She finally was given the opportunity to show off her talent and a vast range that will only become more apparent when she’s seen in the upcoming comedy A.C.O.D. and dramedy The Spectacular Now.

Winstead obviously has a blooming onscreen career, but her off-screen grace is just as impressive. Awaiting her arrival, I sat at one of the quaint café’s small wooden tables sipping a mocha and fiddling with my iPhone. As soon as she walked in, however, I could sense the presence of a confident woman. Her chocolate locks wrapped in a tight bun and a poise that had everyone in the bustling coffee house staring. Even fellow actress Heather Graham who sat at the table catty to ours gazed up in awe of Winstead’s tall frame draped in a chic tomato red coat reminiscent of the 1960s. That outward refinement harmonized with her interior self as she sweetly demonstrated patience with a wait staff that never brought the turkey burger and fries she ordered and kindly shared pieces of her life she thought special despite the ravenous hunger she was forced to suffer through. That’s old-fashioned generosity at its best.

You can read more of Mary's interview in a print copy. This issue hits newsstands (Hastings, Barnes & Nobles, and independent newsstands) nationwide on April 2nd. If you're in Los Angeles and too anxious, Zooey is currently being carried at the Farmers Market Newsstand at The Grove and also at the Westwood Village Newsstand.

Interview by Lecia Doss

Photographer: Dove Shore Stylist: Penny Lovell Hair: Rob Talty Makeup: Roz Music Production Assistant: Hillary Williams Videographer: Robert Meeks Video Editing: Christopher Orrett Productions Studio: Edge Studios, Los Angeles

The Production of "Dawning of a New Day"

Our Big Bear Lake fashion editorial entitled "Dawning of a New Day" was a beautiful weekend adventure. Photographer Cory Osborne directed the shoot from sunrise to sunset, bringing on an amazing team for support. Below follows some behind-the-scenes documentation captured by a Lomography camera.

Zooey Magazine also had the pleasure of documenting the editorial on video (thanks to Christopher Orrett and Robert Meeks).

Videographers: Christopher Orrett and Robert Meeks Direction and Editing: Christopher Orrett

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Mister Josh Dallas

Josh Dallas stars as 21st century's modern Prince Charming in ABC's "Once Upon a Time." Dallas is featured in a 10-page spread in Zooey's December 2012 issue photographed by Derek Wood.

You spent a lot of time studying in London and working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and other prestigious groups - what kind of experience was that?

It laid the greatest and most valuable foundation. I learned so much through working with such theatre companies and actors. AND I fell in love with bangers and mash.

You then landed big part in last year’s blockbuster Thor, what was it like being thrown in to the Hollywood scene after years in theater?

It was incredible and terrifying, all at the same time. I only had three days to rehearse before I started shooting, so it was a “baptism by fire,” but in the hands of the talented Kenneth Branaugh, I never got lost in the Bifrost. Marvel has such great filmmakers and it was a huge pleasure to work for them. What a reintroduction to the United States!

Is there anything you miss about London? Anything you appreciate about the US?

I miss the theatre. I appreciate everything about the US: it’s my home.

You’ve now had great and well respected experience in theater, film, and television. How do you find they differ? Out of all three, which do you prefer to work on?

They are all like walking tight ropes, but at differing heights. To act in theatre is to walk the tight rope high in the air. To act in film or television is to walk the tight rope a bit closer to the ground. Though they all have elements of risk, those risks vary in levels. I think I like working with the camera because I can be a little more free in front it. It always tells the truth. And the more I work with the camera, the more I look on it as a friend.

You now may be best known for your role in "Once Upon a Time," where you play a reworking of Prince Charming. You’ve spoken before about how your portrayal of the Prince gives him a more human depth, what is it like playing a man whose name very much precedes him?

It is wonderful to play a character who is so honest, brave, and good. There’s something comforting about it, and in this day and age, we could all use a little bit of all of that.

You’ve spoken before about your love of all things Disney, what’s it like being able to spend every day in a fairytale world?

It doesn’t get better than spending every day in a world that master storytellers like the Grimm Brothers, Walt Disney, and now Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis have created.

What are your long term goals? What, for you, would be the ultimate accomplishment as an actor?

Work: I just want to keep telling stories, whether I’m acting, directing, or creating.

If you were to star in a remake of a classic film, who would you want to play?

Paul Newman in "Cool Hand Luke."

What do you do outside of acting? Do you have any hobbies?

I ski, I just started golfing (I’m slightly worried because I’ve become obsessed) and I surf.

What is on your iPod right now?

“Days of Speed” by Paul Weller.

What are your favorite TV shows at the moment, other than your own?

“Downton Abbey” and “American Horror Story.”

Do you have any pet peeves?

I hate the sounds made by people licking their fingers.

After the experience of moving to the vastly different culture of London, what other destinations might you like to test out? New Zealand and Paris.

What is one thing you make sure to do every day? Laugh.

Photographer: Derek Wood Stylist: Kenn Law Grooming: Sydney Zibrak (The Wall Group) Location: The Forge in Los Angeles

Video by Matthew Dennis