I usually read a script from an audience perspective first, and then look more closely at the character only.

I kind of have an interest in all history. And I suspect it comes from being Irish - we like stories, we like telling stories, which makes a lot of us lean towards being writers or actors or directors.

My old manager of the Irish National Theatre said 'Don't worry about being a star, just worry about being a working actor. Just keep working.' I think that's really good advice.

A good comedy’s very hard to make, so good comic writing I really enjoy.

I do probably 80 or 90 per cent of the cooking at home.

If you're playing a historical character that's in the public consciousness, then obviously you've got to make an effort to look like that person and there's a huge amount of historical record there that you have to kind of comply to.

Well, Ive always been a character actor, you know, and you always get your share of character actors who are bad guys.