I think because of my background - I went through university and did an academic career and fell into acting - I've never had a game plan for my career because I got into it quite ad hoc.

You don't buy evil characters lattes. That's not normal behavior.

Because youve done the horrible jobs, it gives you an even grittier determination to succeed.

My mom and dad put my brother and sister through university and they were very keen for us to have an academic background just to give us a chance.

If youre going to kiss a man, let it be a beautiful man like Ed Speleers.

It's not just modern-day society that is liberal.

My girlfriend is a great support, and I've got a big circle of mates who keep my feet on the ground.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who watched and tuned in and loved my evil gayness.

I'm a working class lad.

Most actors will tell you that villains are the most interesting to play.

I'm proud of the fact that Downton Abbey was born in a recession, at a time when ITV had dropped a lot of drama programmes. And I know that because I was out of work at the time!

I don't write poems to melt your heart.I write them, so our heartscan melt together.

This is what I call life: a God to save, a woman to love, a job to do, and a cause to fight

Until the police internal affairs system starts prosecuting and firing a substantial number of corrupt and incompetent police officers, I will not be lighting it up blue!

your brown eyes are beautiful.don’t believe the hype.

I knew in that moment that I was full of it. I didn't know who I was. I only knew my routine. I knew who I was suppose to be, who I was expected to be.

The house is made up of the spirits of our ancestors. Did you think they would lie idly by while we were under attack?" 'Cuz, yeah, didn't everybody's ancestors rise up and destroy enemies.

Get a dream, hold on to it and shoot for the sky.

Mike Compton knows more about Bill Monroe style mandolin than the Father of Bluegrass himself.

He will provide the way and the means, such as you could never have imagined. Leave it all to Him, let go of yourself, lose yourself on the Cross, and you will find yourself entirely.

The time to assert one's right is when it's denied!