Because I was aspirational, I did my work, I was respectful to my teachers, I experienced a lot of bullying from the black kids. My friends were largely white or Asian.

Don't send me your script if you want me to play the black best friend; I just won't do that.

I love tennis, love it!

Getting to do what I think was my fifth BBC drama with Nikki Amuka-Bird - we've done 'Shoot The Messenger,' 'Five Days,' 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency,' 'Born Equal' and now 'Small Island' - was another highlight for me. And filming in Jamaica was great, too.

To break down prejudice is to get to a place of understanding, that can erode the ignorance.

One of the occupational hazards of being an actor, the reason why so many actors are insecure, is that the only way we know we're good is when other people tell us.

There's a nimble quality to the way a television actor can work. When that muscle gets strong it's a very valuable thing.