Vampires are so old that they don't need to impress anyone anymore. They're comfortable in their own skin. It's this enigmatic strength that's very romantic and old-fashioned. I think it goes back to something of a Victorian attitude of finding a strong man who's going to look after his woman.

I think half of what a trainer does is make you feel shame if you dont show up.

I didn't want to do film or commercials or television. That was cheap. That was selling out. I was the classic liberal, left-wing, 'Theater is going to change the world' kind of person. You know, very, very boring.

The position of power and having to make decisions that you don't necessarily want to make is always good conflict and good drama.

The interesting thing about 'True Blood' is that its appeal is not contained to teenage girls. I get stopped in the street and questioned by 70-year-old men whose wives and daughters are making Bloody Marys and throwing 'True Blood' parties.

I think there are worse things for a teen to be enraptured with than 'Twilight.

In London I had pear trees in my back garden, so I'd make my own pear and green tomato chutney.