If you play a part that's been done before, on stage for instance, you feel like you're carrying a torch and staggering under the weight of it for a bit and then passing it on to somebody else.

Where licentiousness begins, liberty ends.

[P]erfect freedom consists in obeying the dictates of right reason, and submitting to natural law. When a man goes beyond or contrary to the law of nature and reason, he . . . introduces confusion and disorder into society . . . [thus] where licentiousness begins, liberty ends.

What did my parents say when I told them I wanted to be an actor? 'Be a plumber.'

I am a coward, basically, but one of the things about acting is that you are always putting yourself through yet another test.

I'm not very good at relaxing. Reading's the main thing. On the bus, on the tube, on the loo. Literally all the time. I mean, I don't think there's a moment of the day when I wouldn't be if I was left alone.

I usually play toffs and soldiers, with a sideline in mass murderers.