You don't go to a comedy and try to laugh. You laugh in spite of yourself. You don't just come on stage and cry. Something has pushed you to cry.

Acting attracts shy people and show-offs.

I've had very close relationships with some twentieth-century writers.

Some people will never change.

I've never lost a grown-up child, but I have known loss.

Mostly in life people are trying not to have emotions.

When you play someone who is an iconic figure you can't go into it lightly.

I don't tell everyone my life history because if everyone knows your inside-leg measurement, how can you surprise them?

I am drawn to characters that go on journeys, characters that are real people, that have life.

I love the drive from York to Whitby over the moors - one of the great journeys, in my book.

You need to keep on doing things you have never done before in your career. You have to have a go.

I have spent my whole life educating myself.

The trouble with anyone when they're unhappy or in a relationship they recognize is not working but don't know what to do about is that they can't see farther out than that. If the relationship is not working, if what was there isn't there anymore, you have to do something about it.