You could say I'm a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles.

I adore Bette Davis and Vivien Leigh, but more because they were good actresses. That's what makes me interested in them, that they didn't present themselves as idols; they were just doing their jobs.

Children should always be brave and do something about bullying. It's not okay to stand by and let it happen. Bullies thrive off secrecy. Children should tell someone if they see someone being bullied.

I worked in rep for six years, then I came to London and to the National Theatre. What's better than that?

I worked in rep for six years, then I came to London and to the National Theatre. What’s better than that.

You could say I’m a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles. Does that make sense?

The one good thing is that I get a lot more good scripts coming through my letterbox. ‘Vera Drake’ raised my profile in one way, and then ‘Harry Potter’ in another.

Fortunately my career has never been about how I look, it’s about how I can be.

I adore Bette Davis and Vivien Leigh, but more because they were good actresses. That’s what makes me interested in them, that they didn’t present themselves as idols, they were just doing their jobs.

Look at Judi Dench, who’s brilliant in whatever bloody job she does.