I would rather do many small roles on TV, stage or film than one blockbuster that made me rich but had no acting.

I like people to be surprised by the turn of events. I don't want things just to be pat and formulaic. If there's some sort of internal combustion in the character or a desire to change the way things are going, that makes for conflict, which is the essence of drama.

Insecurity, commonly regarded as a weakness in normal people, is the basic tool of the actor's trade.

My phrase has always been that I am looking for the versatility of theatre in film. I think I have been quite lucky in that so far.

For years, I never knowingly went on a holiday. When I travelled, it was for work. Now I am a huge advocate, particularly to places which have amazing wildlife, such as Antarctica, India and Patagonia.

We're still fighting over the same issue - equal pay.

Feminism was a dirty word for a while.