My mum always says work goes in waves: you have a good spell and then it dips.

After Skins I became mildly famous, which was a bit of a disaster.

That's the main thing, looking for interesting characters, good directors, and experiences where you're growing and learning.

I try not to be too optimistic or pessimistic. If you're a pessimist then that's depressing all the time; if you're an optimist and things don't work out then that's depressing, too.

Occasionally people will look at me and do a double take and theyll look at me like theyre trying to think where they know me from.

Long-term boredom can't lead to anything good.

I try not to read about myself. Why would reading about yourself be interesting? You're only going to be told you're doing a good job and get big headed about it, or be told you're rubbish and get down in the dumps. What's the point?