In our world, we have so many ways we can escape with technology, like TV, Facebook, computers, text messaging and all that.

I wanted to be a dancer from when I was about nine or something like that and started ballet. I used to really like it and got into it and did it full time for a couple of years. I did a lot of ballet but I traded that in for acting when I was about 15.

I think that I burnt myself out a little bit with my dancing because I did so much of it. I was exhausted so thought that I would try a different kind of performance and expression and acting seemed like a close fit; it was similar in some ways to dancing. My mum showed me some really good films and so I became interested in films and acting.

Ultimately, it's a really brave thing to do what makes you happy as opposed to what the norm, or the social norm is, and that's a very important thing for people to remember, especially young women.

It sounds corny to say, but it was really inspiring seeing kids that were just living and connecting with people. That was something I really understood, the need and want for connection, and fun, and it not needing to be sympathetic, just sort of good fun.

Although I'm not particularly troubled myself, I do have a lot of empathy for troubled characters.

I think it's really important for actors to have another creative outlet, or for anyone, really.