The more we mask ourselves, the freer we're able to be within ourselves.

I had a non-existent knowledge of Queen Victoria's early years. Like everyone else, I thought of her as an old lady dressed in black. My mom had told me about her, though, that she had a very loving relationship with Albert, that they had lots of kids, and that he died young.

I think a lot of people want to, at some point in their life, be someone else, run away and escape, in some way. We actors do get to do it. We have a job that allows for that. We have an outlet for it.

I really asked myself, “Oh, my god, how am I going to do this?” That’s what I aspire to, every time I take on a new role.

I'm not much of a crier but it is mildly soul-destroying and exposing to do something physical that you are terrible at in front of other people.

If you can capture the humanity of a family struggling in an economic crisis you can make a difference. You can raise awareness just of the simple humanity.

I do try hard to pick roles that differ. I love that about the job. I think the variety that's out there is to be taken advantage of and I enjoy that element of shape shifting with everything.