I'm very shocked when I look at television and I see such an aggressive youth and image obsession in the representation of women on our screens.

I've been married to the same man - even after the separation - longer than most people in this business. I'm sick to death of people mentioning it.

I'm very shocked when I look at television and I see such an aggressive youth and image obsession in the representation of women on our screens.

The middle-aged woman is the ground bed of the audience that watches television and yet they are absolutely invisible.

When women's parts are being written, they are more and more for under 30s who are nubile and beautiful. Actresses over 40 are finding very little happening.

Filming is quite exciting because every day is different, but it can involve long hours standing around in chilly locations. Theatre is a very different challenge because every night you're striving to keep it fresh, even though you might have been performing the same play for months.

Something like 'Sex And The City' was insulting - women all clawing on to their youth when there's such ripe territory in honestly exploring women's lives as they get older.