I think in every character there are aspects of yourself that you bring to it. But then it would be really boring to just play yourself.

I'm keen to have balance, as much as possible.

I've been very lucky. Directors I've worked with have been very amenable to changes.

I studied English literature at university, but for some reason we only spent one week on [Charles] Dickens, so I remember just trying to find the shortest book that I could find. I was like, "'Hard Times,' really great - it's short, that'll do it."

The more you work, the more people can see that you're something different from what's come before.

I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback [in "The Invisible Woman"]. Ralph [Fiennes] was very open to my input, I think knowing that he couldn't always be there 100 percent, that he had dual aims with directing and acting.

Acting has always existed alongside my normal life. It's been a case of learning on the job. I've worked in so many styles, with so many people, so I've picked bits up from everyone and everything.