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

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 remain, however, fairly optimistic for the future of period drama because it's just such a popular thing.

Poppy: What makes you think I'm having dinner with you?Jake: Because you can't sit in your room and eat ice cream and chips two nights in a row. You'll get scurvy. You need vitamin C.

They said they would rather be outlaws a year in Sherwood Forest than President of the United States forever.

Nothing is better for self-esteem than survival.

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

I can't imagine it if beauty was the only currency I used as an actress. It just doesn't interest me.

I've always wanted a C trumpet on top, to have that same kind of facility without shouting.

Each person is a story that the Soul of the World wants to tell to itself.

You don't knit because you are patient. You are patient because you knit

I tell you there is such a thing as creative hate.