I'm not one of these people who say how much better American drama is than English. I find it mostly too American, except for The Sopranos, which I think is the best thing.

Be careful about the advice you give, especially to your children.

I was getting rewarded for writing well, from about the age of five or six. A teacher would say, "Look what Andrew has written," and I thought, "Maybe I could be a writer."

People like bonnets. I don't think you can under-estimate that.

I used to have this Mercedes, a dark blue 450SLC, which was the most beautiful car. I'd like to have another unusual, beautiful car.

When you see two writers named on a movie, one of them did some drafts and got the boot.

Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.

I prefer love scenes to be shot up close with a lot of focus on eyes and mouths. Otherwise it can feel uncomfortable and voyeuristic.

As a fairly innocent teenager, growing up in a village in Wales, I just thought, "God, I would like to go and hang about Soho and write great poetry and try to avoid drinking myself to death."

I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.

I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches at a university in the provinces.

The grief that does not speak whispers the o'erfraught heart and bids it break.

But now, I know, how absence can be present, like a damaged nerve, like a dark bird.

Anger and jealousy can no more bear to lose sight of their objects than love.

Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.

She only felt that the candle would burn better, the packing go easier, the world be happier, if she could give and receive some human love.

I like when people take chances.

Learning is the only thing that never disappoints us.

Since you have to do the things you have to do, be wise enough to do some of the things you want to do.

We can support President Barack Obama, because he supports us. We can support Barack Obama, because he shares our values and our vision.

Envy among other ingredients has a mixture of the love of justice in it. We are more angry at undeserved than at deserved good-fortune.