I never expected to have any kind of film career, to be honest. It was all a bit of a surprise. But I was in a big hit play on Broadway. America, as many people will say, says yes more often than we do. And so I was suddenly surrounded by people saying yes. But I was aware that was 'cause of what I was in. It had a big impact.

I am the character you are not supposed to like.

In theater, you've got to be aware of your whole body because it involves stamina. It involves two-and-a-half hours and a sustained release of energy, maybe for six months.

On film you put all your energies into a single glance.

I'm a quite serious actor who doesn't mind being ridiculously comic.

I'm a lot less serious than people think, it's probably because the way my face is put together.

I have just returned from the dubbing studio where I spoke into a microphone as Severus Snape for absolutely the last time.