When I came to England, the first director I met was Charles Sturridge, who told me, 'You speak like somebody out of the 1950s.

If you're doing well, you're a target, nobody's interested in you except how you can be of use to them.

When I meet a couple, I'm always interested to know if they have been together for a long time, or how loyal they are, because I know that will impact on how much I'm prepared to trust them.

Ensure that your script is watertight. If it's not on the page, it will never magically appear on the screen.

Well, it's true that I've never been solitary, although I spend a lot of time alone. I've never felt lonely or been shy.

I am a very judgmental person. Of myself and other people. I recognise it's a great fault, but I have no power over that.

My father died prematurely at the age of 52 when I was 24, and it is a recurring regret that he never lived to see me succeed beyond university and drama.