I use my awards as doorsteps. Others are in the office or in little cubbyholes in our library – they go between the books, because they actually look like arty pieces

People who are exceptionally intelligent are often lonely because there are few people as intelligent as them. I have two little children and everyone says: 'I hope they're doing well in school. I hope they're bright.' And I think: why would anyone want their children to be the brightest? Academia is a lonely world.

So often when you meet child actors, they're weird - they're freaks. No, I mean it, they're really odd people.

America is such a nation of suppressed emotion, and when you arrive in L.A., you can smell the fear. It's the most alien country I've ever been to.

I listen to Radio 4 all the time. I didn't go to university, so that's my further education.

I can sleep anywhere! I can come off stage during the interval of a play, lie down for four minutes then wake up feeling better.

Every time, at any point of my life, I think now is always the best age to be.