I got the O.B.E because I represent England outside of England more...but thinking of me as an actor, I haven't done all the classical theatre, all the great roles. Think of Helen Mirren and me. Helen, who I adore, is a friend - should be Dame. I am the rebel, the revolutionary on the side.

I've lived through deaths in my family and I've lived through separations in my family so those are the big ones. Those are the ones that press the biggest buttons in human beings' lives.

I felt very special in Paris, more special than I felt in London. I love London for different reasons. I've always been close to London, being English. But somehow there's something special about living as an Englishwoman in Paris.

A lot of young actors will do a scene and then run off and look at themselves. I don't believe in that at all

When I take on something, I take the whole thing on. It's not even a question of separating, "Oh, am I going to be naked?" If you know you have to do something in life, for me, I go with my whole person.

I am not qualified to be a Dame. To be Dame you have to represent England in a way that I don't.

Training is fabulous because it gives you a basis, a strong structure, so that when you're unbelievably nervous and you think that you can't get a word out, you will get the word out.