I was sick and tired of being an English actor who did a lot of American movies because I was cheap and good.

I genuinely was just such a fan of the books. When I heard that this was on the cards, I've got to do this; I've got to get involved with this. I'm such a Philip Pullman fan and actually his philosophies, morals and the way he looks at the world. He does what he does brilliantly as a writer. He writes children's stories with major adult themes and major ideas about making the right choices.

I always wanted to be an actor. I had the arrogance to believe I couldn't be anything else.

I've never really had a desire to do Shakespeare. For me, it's just too many lines.

I know in my life there's stuff that will come back because I haven't dealt with it, and it's the same with everybody.

If I was being perfectly honest, which I'm not going to be, I think the movie touches on a lot of things that we all went through... the first kiss, which was more than a first kiss for Harry [Eden], and those electrifying moments when you're a teenager that form who you are as a human being. I think those, for me, are what Baillie captured so well.

I know what I like in other actors: truth. That's the best. It makes you say, 'OK, I'll go with you on this.'