I think every period - except for the 14th century, or something - has some merits.

Every writer has to make an emotional journey from artist sitting in attic to being part of a business. The writer of a film is like Tinkerbell. You are only there because people believe in you. The moment they dont, because youre a pain the arse, youve lost.

You see, in America, it's quite standard for an actor to sign, at the beginning of a series, for five or seven years. The maximum any British agent will allow you to have over an actor is three years.

I always loved movies and the cinema; we always used to go to see films as a family.

I think American television changed world television in its reinvention of the series.

I'm seen as a chronicler of the class system, which I don't think is unfair.

I think I have a very detailed sense of observation. I am interested in the details of people's lives and what information these details give.