I first wanted to be an actress after seeing a play - not a movie.

I don't read reviews because if they're bad I'm devastated and if they're good I get a big head.

Art is an expression of who you are. Parts that I play are my sculptures.

I take care of myself, which includes dieting, exercising and minimising stress. I joke that I've been on a diet since 1974, which is basically true.

I have a very healthy dose of self-loathing. But I think we all have a past of being whatever our story was, of feeling not good enough. It can propel you to work harder and do more, but it can also be a tremendous trap, and you cant see beyond it.

The British have been more up for it than the Americans were, particularly with respect to nudity in the show. In Europe there are adverts that show the breasts, so people are less frightened of that aspect of the show. Americans can withstand incredible violence on TV shows - which, as I come from England and Canada, I find difficult to stomach - but they are more puritanical when it comes to nudity on screen.

Talented people are written off once they hit their 50s and 60s, and the saddest thing is, we just get better as we get older.