You play a cop in “Top of the Lake,” a mini-series created by Jane Campion that makes its debut on the Sundance Channel on March 18. It includes an all-female commune led by Holly Hunter — a stark contrast to “Mad Men,” which is produced by Matthew Weiner and is so much about a man’s world.

I would definitely say “Top of the Lake” is more female-driven. But Matt is so in touch with his feminine side that “Mad Men” doesn’t really feel as if it’s run by a man. There are lots of boys and sexism, but you’ve got these three female leads who are really complex.

Campion’s project takes a pretty dark view of men. Most of the male characters remind me of the homicidal rapacious variety you see in “Straw Dogs.”

It’s a side of humanity, but just a side. These particular guys are not very great representations of the male sex, I would say.

Since we had to coordinate this interview around the production of “Mad Men,” I assume you’re back on the show, despite having left Sterling Cooper at the end of last season.

Yes, I am.

So tell me about it.

Well, let me just grab my scripts.

You can’t, right? That’s the deal — they’re closely guarded secrets. What I really want to know is how Weiner actually enforces this.

There’s 200 people in our crew, and they don’t say a word, because they love the show and they don’t want to ruin it.