I don't mind wearing a corset; it informs your posture, changes the way you move, you can't slouch.

I come from a very working-class background, so my family would have been downstairs in the past, as opposed to upstairs. People are often quite surprised to hear that, that I'm not actually posh.

I think some period drama can be quite alienating, but 'Downton' isn't. This is going to sound quite, um, pretentious, but someone said that it's like a soap written by a poet.

I had dance training from a very young age, 3 or 4... It taught me how to present myself, about preparation and working in an ensemble, and its something that carries with me to this day.

In the early '20s, with the war over, there was a period of celebration, and you can see it in the fashion.

I get so excited about reading a new script.

I don't get recognized all the time, but it tends to happen more in America, and people are so lovely when they do.