The photo shoot I always feel a bit embarrassed about because I don't really know what to do with myself, but they usually don't use a bad photo, so you can't worry too much. So my main concern is that I just look a bit more like myself.
When I take on a role, all I tend to do is get to know the script and ask millions of questions, and keep fine tuning what I think the character is trying to say.
Being a character actor, I can go on until I'm 70 or 80; I'm not bound to the way I look.
I get offered loads of unusual stuff. I just don't do loads because I like staying at home a lot, and I'm a little bit lazy. I don't get that thing of going from film to film that people do. It would drive me nuts, and that level of fame is quite scary.
I always try to think of positive things to say about the people I portray, as it's more helpful for me.
I never watch anything I do. I really would rather just not know at all how I come across.
As a child, I certainly wanted to have hair that I could grow long and flip around. I no longer want that. My own hair that I have day to day is a fuzzy afro. And that's who I am.
There's nothing worse than actors spouting about what they think.
I love the industry I'm in, and it's been really generous to me.
I am rather partial to Shakespeare, though I haven't done loads. But when it's done right, there's nothing like it. There are layers upon layers upon layers, and you unpack new things constantly. I don't know how he knew so many things - about the world, about women, about human nature, life, death, our fears and hopes.
Anyone can play anyone in Shakespeare. I don't think there are limits.
I love being a punter.
To get an award for something you are having a ball doing is a real buzz.
I just get offered a lot more work in America than I do in Britain.
There are just more roles for me in America. Sadly. Because I love working in Britain. It's my home.
If the writers all come from the same backgrounds, you are going to get the same sorts of characters. Get a broader variety of writers, and you get a bigger range of stories.
I never suffered anti-Semitic racism because no one thought I was Jewish.
I can't, for example, Google myself, because I am very sensitive.
It was a dream to be on Broadway as a kid, so to actually end up there, I loved it.
My first love is a wonderful script. It's the story.
