I've never for a second felt like my job has been more of a struggle because I'm a woman.

Spending way too long worrying about what people think about me is a bad habit.

No matter how many frustrations come along, or how many problems arise, I never lose the feeling of how lucky I am. I'm so pleased to be doing a job that makes me laugh every day. I'm aware that it's a huge privilege.

There are lots of actors, and you need a way to stand out. Writing comedy sketches was a way of doing that.

You've only got a short shelf-life as an actor, and I want to make the most of it while I can.

I started writing sketches with Dennis Kelly, who I ended up writing 'Pulling' with. We entered a BBC competition and did quite well, then started writing bits for other people's shows. You wheedle your way in, write pilots and eventually you end up writing a sitcom.

I think the best comedy is tragicomic. Yeah, I suppose if you were to look at everything I've done, there is a bit of a black streak through all of it. It's not deliberate: it's what makes me laugh, and there's a fine tradition of it, especially in Ireland.