The ferocity of passion that is engendered by people when they don't like what you've done is really tremendous. It's intense.

There is some mysterious thing that goes on whereby, in the process of playing Shakespeare continuously, actors are surprised by the way the language actually acts on them.

Friendship is one of the most tangible things in a world which offers fewer and fewer supports.

I'm basically quite a cheerful person.

I'm just a foul-mouthed Brit.

I started being interested in acting when I heard the voices of Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud and Sir Alec Guinness. Ive had the great privilege of working with Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Anthony Hopkins. These are people who inspire the work that I do.

It doesn't mean old or younger. I've learned a lot from people much younger than me as well as people much older than me. So I think it's about honesty and generosity.