I am attracted to the diversity of different characters. I like doing things that test the boundaries of character and genres, outside the comfort zone.

I am attracted to the diversity of different characters. I like doing things that test the boundaries of character and genres, outside the comfort zone.

I'm always struck, when I play characters from previous centuries, how young they were when they did what they did. That's what I need to get used to - when I portrayed a Russian cavalry solider in 'War & Peace,' he was in his teens. When I do a period piece, that's the hardest thing for me to get my head around.

As far as men of the past, I guess I'm comfortable looking at those roles and thinking that I want to be like them for the period of filming. I genuinely hold the belief that the characters are more interesting than who I am, when I approach them. I feel comfortable under that veil, and I think it shows.