I was not a studious kid, and I struggled to find things that would command my attention and engage my ideas and energies.

I have long been a supporter of The Princes Trust, and so when American Express asked me to launch Amex Be Inspired and help young people build their confidence and fulfil their potential, I was delighted to get involved.

I couldnt imagine something asking as much of me as House Of Cards. Its a great warm-up for coming back to the screen.

But I feel that I have a responsibility to help the film and I have relations with the studio and with those who put up the money so that I can tell a story that I believe in.

You are not just, "This is the way I play it every night." You are constantly finding new ways in, new attacks, "I want to try it this way. Maybe this scene is affecting that scene. I want to attack this scene differently."

I've been on sets where things weren't relaxed because someone was creating tension for no reason.

Games are advancing in terms of storytelling and trying to create a character, and its a brand new audience for me.