'Key' Unlocks Hudson's Other Side

(CBS)  Kate Hudson is best known for the comedic abilities she has shown in films like "How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days," "Raising Helen," and her Oscar nominated performance in "Almost Famous."

Now, she gets to show a different side of her talents in a new thriller, playing a hospice worker determined to unlock the secrets of the strange house in which she works. Hudson will be on The Early Show Friday to discuss "The Skeleton Key."

Hudson plays Caroline Ellis, who has recently arrived in New Orleans and is hired by Violet Devereaux to care for her ailing husband, Ben.

"Kate was the first actress we thought of for the role," says director Iain Softley. "But then, we were hit with a bombshell - Kate became pregnant. We were more than willing to put the production on hold for almost a year until she was ready to begin work. It turned out to be a good decision because I think that the birth of her baby has given her a maturity and added life experiences that have definitely helped give extra layers to what she has brought to the film."

Hudson discusses her character and says, "Caroline is a serious girl, which I found intriguing. It was nice not to have to smile all the time. She's a curious, strong young woman who becomes increasingly isolated as the story unfolds."

Hudson, who did all her own stunts, reveals that she loved the physicality of it.

"I think the stunt coordinator was surprised to find out that my coordination was pretty good," laughs Hudson. "I got to break windows, climb up a two-story trellis and crawl through mud in the pouring rain. One day, I looked down at my knees and they were black and blue, just like when I was a kid and played soccer. At one point, I was actually soaking wet for 15 hours. I loved it."

Hudson's co-stars are Gena Rowland, John Hurt, and Joy Bryant.

Some Facts About Kate Hudson

• Kate Garry Hudson was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 19, 1979.
  
  
• She is the daughter of actress-producer Goldie Hawn and comedian-musician Bill Hudson.
  
  
• From 1998 to 1999, Hudson made her first featured roles in "200 Cigarettes," "Desert Blue," and "Gossip."
  
  
• In 2000, Hudson gained critical admiration for her role in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous."
  
  
• In 2002, Hudson co-starred in the remake of "Four Feathers" with Heath Ledger.
  
  
• In 2003, Hudson co-starred with Matthew McConaughey in the romantic comedy "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days;" also in the same year, she was paired with Luke Wilson for the romantic comedy "Alex and Emma;" and Hudson starred in "Le Divorce."
  
  
• Hudson is a principal in Cosmic Entertainment, a production entity comprised of her own banner, Birdie Productions, as well as the production companies of Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Oliver Hudson.
  
  
• In 2004, Hudson appeared in "Raising Helen" as a self-involved career woman, who suddenly finds herself named the guardian of her late sister's three children.