It's phenomenally important to me that, if I'm going to be spending years on a project, I need to be interested in the whole thing. I'm not there to be on my own. And if I'm going to be with these people, I'd best be interested in their work.

In 2003 McDonnell starred in the mini-series Battlestar Galactica as Laura Roslin. McDonnell received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2011 for the role. McDonnell is well known for her performances as President Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica the First Lady in Independence Day and a starring role in Donnie Darko as the title character's mother.

McDonnell is currently starring in Major Crimes as Captain Sharon Raydor. McDonnell is well known for her performances as President Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica the First Lady in Independence Day and a starring role in Donnie Darko as the title character's mother.