I would love it if anyone gave me the job of adapting 'The Great Gatsby,' but nobody ever does.

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.

Rebecca Eaton has made an enormous contribution to the cultural life of America, and, more than that, she is one of the most fun people I know.

One of the things I've always thought is a drag in so many period adaptations is that they are always buttoned up to the neck in so many clothes all the time. I'm always looking for excuses to get them out of their clothes.

I adore doing classic adaptations, but I also feel their frustrations and their limitations.

Taking the humour out of Dickens, it's not Dickens any more.

I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches at a university in the provinces.