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.

No Western government has ever played the long-term in terms of foreign policy.

For me the rehearsal period is the part I most enjoy. It's the creating of the story.

You know what it's like to feel anxious - it's horrible feeling anxious. It's stressful having that feeling, having butterflies in your stomach, even for a day, and you don't sleep at night.

You have to go where the good writing is.

I love playing sport.

You know, I think I am faintly spiritual.