I grew up with it. As a young actor, I was always aware of the brilliant work of Shakespeare. We studied Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth in school. As a young actor, you're always mystified and intrigued by such brilliant work. To actually have the chance to be involved in this production was a wonderful thing for me.

I grew up in a middle class English family just outside London. I wasn't surrounded by that speedy city lifestyle, it was a little mellower.

I bite my nails. I've been chewing on them for years. As long as you don't chew through flesh it's all right.

It's very difficult to juggle two careers, unless you're going to have someone put it all together for you. Because you're on TV, somebody just gives you a record deal - that's not how I'd want to get it, because it's just not real.

I think gardens are fantastic, and I'd love to draw and design and stuff like that. I love just planting flowers during the summer. There's something very humble about it, and natural and beautiful.

I don't come from a famous family and don't have this detachment from everyday people and everyday life. I'm just doing my job and the attention that comes with it is part of the territory.

This is my trademark: I rip my T-shirt. I’m into the whole showing-a-bit-of-chest-hair thing.