What's difficult for American audiences is that they're used to a system here where you can get an actor for five years or even seven, and that is signed for at the audition. Whereas in England, no agent will give you an actor for more than three years.

The English country house is certainly an icon of British culture.

When you are desperate to get someone who isn't all that interested in you, you lay siege as hard as you can.

Sometimes the weekend gets hijacked by work, but as my mother would say, this is the right problem.

I think Americans are wonderful film actors - the best in the world - but they are a very contemporary race and they look forward all the time.

I always like to arrive at the airport early to enjoy breakfast and lounge about so that when I get on the plane all my travel fever has disappeared.

If you are lucky, you have your moment. But it is never more than a moment. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.