Gina Rodriguez is thrilled to play Virgin Mary in new animated movie: 'I was raised on this story'

Gina Rodriguez who rose to fame playing Jane Villanueva in the hit The CW show, Jane The Virgin, is ready to play another chaste character, the Virgin Mary in the new animated movie, The Star.

The 33-year-old actress shared her excitement about playing the coveted role in the Christmas movie with People Magazine. She said, "Prior to Jane the Virgin I always wanted to do animation. I do have a huskier voice ... so it was nice to be able to play with it — to lighten it up for Mary."

Revealing that she was raised on the story of Virgin Mary, Rodriguez noted, "And also it's the nativity story. I was raised on this story. I've known this story my whole life, and when somebody was like, 'Do you want to play the Virgin Mary?' I was like 'Yeah.' "

According to Rodriguez Virgin, Mary was a normal everyday woman. "[She] was a normal woman. She was the everyday woman. ...That's the whole thing," she replied when asked how she prepared for the role.

The Star, which releases on 17 November, is an animated Christian comedy film, which follows the life of a small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas.

Other than The Star, Rodriguez will also voice the role of international criminal Carmen Sandiego in the upcoming Netflix revival, which is set to premiere in 2019.

Dishing about her role, The CW actor admitted to People, "The original Carmen Sandiego was Rita Moreno. I'm just slowly trying to become her. I'm single Latina femaling Rita Moreno. ...I wanna be her."

She also went on to reveal that that Moreno, who guest-starred on Jane the Virgin as Jane's grandmother, will be making a cameo on the new season, Rodriguez said "Netflix is doing a phenomenal job" with the show, which is still geared toward teaching children new things.

"I mean, I learn things every single time. I'm like, 'Oh really? That happened. Good to know,'" she added.

According to Netflix, the show will feature Carmen Sandiego "back and ready for a new crop of international capers packed with thrilling adventure and intrigue. This fresh take presents an intimate look into Carmen's past where viewers will not only follow her escapades but also learn WHO in the world is Carmen Sandiego and WHY she became a super thief."