Most actors hate readthroughs - they're exposing themselves before they're ready to, and before they've bonded. But I love them because they give us all the first inkling of what the whole show is going to be like, how each part affects every other part, and we won't see that again until it's all edited together.

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

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

A distinguished producer called Kenith Trodd actually lived in his office for over a year - the cleaners refused to go in because it was such a tip.

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

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.

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.