To not want children or not be considerate of them is a very unwomanly thing to be, from a certain point of view.

In Britain, we haven't got enough money to make these long-running shows. We always do little mini ones. You have more control as an actor over what you want to do with it. On these you drive yourself mad trying to know what's going to happen, because the writers don't.

You never have a consistent job as an actor, so you're always looking for the next thing. It's defined by the opportunities that come across your doorstep at the time. A career is totally in the hands of fate, in terms of how those opportunities arise.

My parents are desperate, they keep saying: 'Please stop doing these angsty roles; make it easier for us.' So, yeah, I'd love to do some comedy.

I've always been quite shy. Very confident but very shy.

With film acting, and often when the camera comes very close, you just have to think about something and the camera will pick it up.

I come from the south, so you're useless and you're a bit pathetic. That's the first thing that the northerners think of you.