Now we live in a time where the public and the private are completely fused and there isn't such a great distinction. We know our private lives are constantly made public. With Facebook and Twitter there isn't such a desire, it feels, to keep things private.

I'm keen to have balance, as much as possible. 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 couldn't do what I do without my friends and family.

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 always hope for roles that have some depth and that I can get my teeth into and that will challenge me, in some way.

My mother was in advertising and worked incredibly hard when she was bringing us up. She was a working mother and a working single parent. That instills in you a sense of determination.

It's nice to have some continuity you can come back to. I feel that in coming home, coming back to London.

I'm a real geek. I love spending time researching a character and reading about them.