People have preconceptions about women of a certain age.

The first meal my husband ever made me was a chicken curry. I have never tasted anything so delicious in my life.

I get invited to a lot more glamorous parties since Ive been in Downton Abbey, which has made me much more fashion conscious.

I don't like being shouted at.

As an actor, you never know where the works going to come, so you have to be flexible about it.

I can do basics, but I'm not a proper cook. I can do a roast. I can stick a chicken in the oven with vegetables.

I mean, I've done musicals, but it's not my best thing.