My mother was someone that walked into a room and lit it up. She made friends easily and she communicated her enthusiasms with great joy. I always wanted to be more like my mother than I am. I loved and admired her very deeply.

I like who I am now. Other people may not. I'm comfortable. I feel freer now. I don't want growing older to matter to me.

I'm curious about other people. That's the essence of my acting. I'm interested in what it would be like to be you.

Yeah, I did need a lot of breath [to play Margaret Thatcher]. I needed much more breath than I have, after all of my expensive drama school training. I couldn't keep up with her.

I think the most liberating thing I did early on was to free myself from any concern with my looks as they pertained to my work.

Empathy is at the heart of the actor's art.

I had this sort of idolatry for certain actors who preceded me, people who inspired me, so I'm honored to be that way for young actors.