Los Angeles, Jan 7 (IANS): Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, who has played several "good girl" roles on the big screen, surprised herself when she agreed to play a baddie in her forthcoming film "Divergent".

"Divergent" is adapted from Veronica Roth's novel of the same name and the actress will be seen as Jeanine Matthews, the story's antagonist.

Winslet, who was pregnant at the time of the shoot, said that she had thoroughly thought through before coming on-board and accepting a negative role.

"I'm no idiot. The idea went through my head that I have never played a baddie before. I was almost kind of surprised," the "Titanic" actress said in a statement.

It is a story where society is divided into five factions and each represents a different virtue; teenagers have to decide if they want to stay in their faction or switch to another - for the rest of their lives.

Jeanine is the protector of a futuristic dystopian society based in Chicago in which the population is divided into five factions. As the leader of the Erudite, or intelligent group, Jeanine is also the story's antagonist.

Talking about a scene where she adopts a positively chilly demeanour, Winslet said: "That's the whole point of Jeanine. She walks down the corridor and sort of just leaves this vapour trail. I knew I had to bring that intimidation."

Even the author of the book "Divergent" was amazed to see Winslet go deep into the script.

"Kate has gone with a very subtle, even well meaning villain. She's not a moustache twirling Disney type. She brings the menace in a very quiet way," Roth said.

"Divergent" will release in India in March.