You can only do your best. That's all you can do. And if it isn't good enough, it isn't good enough.
Chaotic people often have chaotic lives, and I think they create that. But if you try and have an inner peace and a positive attitude, I think you attract that.
I don't feel the need for religion. But I went on a yoga retreat last year and I do believe slightly in the karma thing and just being good and true unto yourself. And I slightly believe that you can attract good and bad to you.
I was brought up a Catholic, so I take no pleasure in guilt.
You could say I'm a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles. Does that make sense?
I worked in rep for six years, then I came to London and to the National Theatre. What's better than that?
We all must support the arts, as it is our culture. It makes us better people. It makes us happy; it gives us empathy and shows us how to live. It is so important.
There are lots of wonderful actors doing animated films these days, but I prefer it when you can't recognise them - it means they've really become the character.
I've fallen over on stage a couple of times, but I've only ever bruised my ego.
If you're at an award ceremony, you're against your mates.
Drama school introduced me to a world I had no idea about. I wasn't brought up in a literary household at all.
I think the first 10 years of my daughter's life were my mother's happiest, because she could finally have carefree time with a kid.
I never wanted for anything. We went to Ireland for holidays every year. I was 14 when we first went to Italy. My mum was determined I was going to go to a good school. My mum was an absolute grafter. A real grafter. I got my work ethic from her.
Fortunately my career has never been about how I look, it's about how I can be.
You can be very famous without being a great actress, and that's not good for me.
We're all unique as actors. To yourself, you are unique. You have to think, 'I'm me. I'm not going to bunch myself with other people.' Agents and producers have to get you into a box to accommodate their limited imaginations.
I've always liked new writing.
Agents and producers have to get you into a box to accommodate their limited imaginations.
Look at Judi Dench, who's brilliant in whatever bloody job she does.
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.
