My mum always told me I was precious, while my dad always told me I was worthless. I think that's a good grounding for a balanced life.

Actually I like working kind of fast, because if you got it, why bother doing it over and over?

When you're on TV, you come into people's homes. In theater and film, they go to you - to the temple of the cinema or theater. And it's very different.

I don't feel I'm a compulsive person. I multitask. I'm really well-organised, and I have lots of people to help me.

Performing a one-man Macbeth feels like the greatest challenge.

For example, Americans seem reluctant to take on Shakespeare because you don't think you're very good at it - which is rubbish. You're missing out here.

Sometimes people get really sniffy about the films you choose if you've done more dramatic projects or you're classically trained.