I suppose expectations are strange and I shy away from them. And the whole point of being an actor is to connect.

I think at some stage, I would love to have another child. I would love to settle into a relationship that was really important to me. I actually am not good at the balance at that.

In particular, for my character, Celeste [in Big Little Lies], there was a way in which we wanted to present her, because she has sort of barriers that she has to put up for protection because of things that are going on in her life. Yet she wants to be, I suppose, very presentable but neutral.

I think each role takes a little from you and circles around you for the rest of your life. I don't think you ever abandon any of them.

Cinema is a director's medium, so you're saying, "What do you want?" Being an actor is about adapting - physically and emotionally. If that means you have to look great for it and they can make you look great, then thank you. And if you have to have everything washed away, then I'm willing to do that too.

My life collapsed. People ran from me because suddenly it was, "Oh my God! It's over for her now!"

I think having my life be as private and quiet as possible is a way in which then I can go and play characters.