Acting, to me, is being given the freedom and ability to play, and that's - that's what I love most about it. I feel very comfortable in playing, whether it be in front of a camera or on stage.

I have a sort of long-term plan to direct. I'm pragmatic about it. I realize I don't need to rush it or force it.

I would love to direct a feature and have Robert Connolly produce it. That would be really fab.

Some people would say I've made it now.

I've ended up spending more time in front of a camera than on stage, but the stage is where I come from.

Well you just have to own it, I suppose. Own the character, which is difficult.

I'll never forget anything about Middle Earth. That's part of my memory now so I won't miss anything.

I do regard myself as very lucky.

I think actors do make really, really wonderful directors.

I'm becoming a frustrated director, I think, in an actor's body.

I always loved putting on shows - when you're the youngest of seven and five are older sisters, you've got to get noticed somehow! I did puppet shows and magic shows... even ventriloquism. My doll's name was 'Dan,' and I used to write these scripts, and my schoolmate hid under the table and supplied Dan's voice.

In very general terms 'Top Of The Lake' is about good and evil. It's a deep dark mystery. It also deals with lots of fascinating human relationships, and it's also about the battle of the sexes.

Australia is a phenomenally beautiful country, and every time I go away and come back, it never ceases to amaze me.

As we mature and grow older we collect a lot of baggage, and a lot of that stuff you collect on life's journey gets in the way of acting. My kids can imagine a character and transform in the blink of an eye. It's so simple for kids, so complex for adults.