The joy of writing drama is putting yourself into different people's heads.

Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.

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

I prefer love scenes to be shot up close with a lot of focus on eyes and mouths. Otherwise it can feel uncomfortable and voyeuristic.

My wife likes history and documentaries, but I'm not so keen on them. I generally go and do some work if there's one of those on.

I got quite cross when I heard about Emma Thompson adapting 'Sense and Sensibility.' It was absolutely childish of me, but I thought, 'I should be doing that. They didn't even ask me.' Some mistake, surely.

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