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 always think that the most interesting characters are those that are trying to cover something or those that have some sense of bravado or composure.

It's sort of a meat market, the whole awards thing, and I don't think you can predict it anymore - who's going to like what you've done, if it's worthy or not. And hopefully, that's not why you make a film, because if you're distracted by that, or only striving for that, you don't do it justice.

I think it is nice for people to appreciate a slow-burning, beautiful story that makes you feel good when it is over.

It's nice to play someone who is naive.

Americans are a lot more open, of course. There's something more declamatory in the way you express emotions. It's a stereotype but it's true. British people can appear repressed in expressing emotions. Not very good at self-evaluating, or affirming situations, touching, anything like that.

I find that it really helps that I live in the States. I'm married to an American, and I have lots of American friends.