Be careful about the advice you give, especially to your children.

Look at Jane Austen. Her characters derive in a reasonably straight line from fairy tales.

I remain, however, fairly optimistic for the future of period drama because it's just such a popular thing.

I'd love to adapt more contemporary novels. But there isn't really enough story and character to make a really satisfying serial, so they tend to be single dramas.

I used to have this Mercedes, a dark blue 450SLC, which was the most beautiful car. I'd like to have another unusual, beautiful car.

I'm not one of these people who say how much better American drama is than English. I find it mostly too American, except for The Sopranos, which I think is the best thing.

I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.