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

I do realise how incredibly lucky I am.

Certain stories that you want to see resolve in certain ways are, and some aren't, but that's life.

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 have an excellent internal compass.

I'd love to retire somewhere like Winchester, where you have one foot on the pavement but a sense of being in the country as well.

To go to the White House is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In fact, the building is not that big.