I grew up listening in awe to stories of their wartime adventures. My granny, Joan, was a journalist and wrote amazing letters to my grandpa when he was a prisoner of war, while my nana, Mary, was a Land Girl, then a Wren. They were so independent, resilient and glamorous.
In the U.K., there is a sort of obsession with class.
I cry at films and TV and even adverts.
When I'm in a tricky situation I often think: 'What would Beyonce do?' It helps.
I don't really get recognised very much.
I've not sat with my agent going: 'Where is the next hopeless girl I can play?' They just come along.
You have to have sympathy for and an empathy with a character in order to play them.
I have such a huge girl crush on Beyonce.
When I emerge from filming I feel slightly out of synch with real life, but it's also a relief.
I certainly never saw myself as posh.
I did all sorts of jobs after drama school - working in a bar, as a teaching assistant. I probably learned as much from them as I did at drama school.
I'm not recognised much at all.
I'm from Southampton.
As actors, you play people who are not yourselves!
I think it must be so hard to start your career with everyone going on about how gorgeous you are. To be in that bracket must be so pressurised.
It's beneficial to play against your type; to be chameleon-like.
Playing a plainer role means everything is dependent on the credentials of the actor, not the fact that they are as pretty as Julia Roberts. People start to look at their talent rather than their appearance. And playing the ugly part often means less time in the make-up chair, which is a great benefit on set.
I have two sisters, and we are the best of friends.
My history teacher was utterly terrifying, but her lessons were very inspiring. She got me interested in people and stories, which then led me to acting.
I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play. But I do love British film as well.
