Everyone at some point in their lives feels excluded and misunderstood.

Julian Fellowes doesn't come to the set, except maybe once every six weeks, for whatever reason. He's not a producer, in that sense. But if you write him a one-line question, he'll write you a three-page answer.

We were all expecting to finish [Downton Abbey] after Series 1, actually. And then, it got extended to Series 3, and that's when two of our much loved and much missed friends left. And then, it was going to be done with Series 5, but Julian Fellowes said, "I'd like to do one more." So it's been a series of extensions, rather than wondering how much longer we can go on for.

I do realise how incredibly lucky I am.

I always try to look for the best in most places.

Homosexuality has been around since humanity began and different societies at different times have reacted in a different manner.

At 19, you know everything; by the time you're 40, you haven't got a clue.