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.

I always had a very strong sense of independence.

Always, my mother said, "Be yourself." That is sometimes the hardest thing to do. I try to always remember that and come back to that and have strength in who you are. There is only one you.

There's such a sense of theatre in getting glammed up; it's like putting on a play or short film.

I put every ounce of myself into my work, but also it's important that I don't miss every single wedding of my best friends.

I've always been a feminist, and what I love in my work is being able to explore a full-sided woman and not patronize her.

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."