A character on a page has to feel real, and for me the greatest fun is if you could gender-swap the role.

There are a lot of parallels between the historical Henry VIII and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. There's an oscillation and extremity of emotion throughout his repertoire that lends itself beautifully to the nature of Henry VIII, definitely. He will push things to the limit, and yet remain in emotional control.

Feminist, whatever the definition, whatever you call yourself - I am, I'm not - none of us want little girls being forced into early marriage before they're 12.

I think classes can be the most fun. And if you want to make it a social thing and you want to go with friends, then that's the way to do it.

I was frequently told at drama school that I was thinking too much.

The Tudors”) “I walked away thinking, well, if I don't get the job, it doesn't matter - I've kissed Jonathan Rhys Meyers!

There's been a sort of mini-revolution, an uprising, as was long overdue, about these subject matters: ethnicity and gender equality.