I'm playing one of the principal roles, which gives you more clout and more confidence.

You have to attempt to be objective about yourself.

I don't think I've ever been asked to act out bad sex. It's not my style. I've been blessed with good rhythm.

When you get to a certain age, the work begins to thin out.

It's a question of keeping one's eyes and ears open and watching how other people play the game. They're watching me too, to see what my attitude is like.

People like Tywin Lannister are very much victims of that system, and of that environment: 'This is my place, don't threaten it'. I don't know how relevant that is to today. Politics is the most corrupt profession on earth, no matter where you are.

I have to admit that I haven't read any of the books [of George Martin's "Game of Thrones"] and I don't refer to them. Apart from anything else they're very thick [in size] and they frighten me. A terrifying prospect.