It was pretty daunting. Normally, I never go to a gym, but before we started shooting, I thought I'd better. I reckoned I was in really good shape, and then I looked around and I was half the size of everyone else. A lot of these American actors have this - in my view - misplaced view that they have to look like Action Man. The trouble is, they all run the risk of being interchangeable.

I was, if you like, a successful schoolboy in that I had a degree of talent in all the required things that make you a success at school.

I think people like to be scared. I think people like tension and suspense in a movie.

My parents were incredibly inclusive.

People need revelation, and then they need resolution.

I've done classical theaters. I played Hamlet myself and Romeo.

In the end, there's something of the puritan work ethic about me that roles really must sustain me on an intellectual level.