Often in America people would assume that [as an English actor] you've had some sort of deep, classical training, or that you're a Shakespeare enthusiast. I have zero interest in me performing Shakespeare.

I quoted David Hare one of his lines the other day to illuminate whatever point we were trying to make in the conversation, and I said 'What play was that?' and he said 'It was your line, you said it about a hundred and fifty times in The Vertical Hour.'

The way the elderly are treated, and in some cases warehoused and medicated, rather than nurtured and listened to, is distressing.

I have nothing against romanticism. I'm all for it. I'm helpless in the face of romance.

I don't think there's an improvised word in the movie. I hope not because I admire writing. Improvising is kind of gambling. It's just that you're standing up.

A way of describing performances that I admire is that there is an absence of careerism. It's a clumsy way of describing it but it sort of does it for me.

It can't be overstated how wonderful it is not to have to audition any more. Any actor will tell you, it's like Christmas.