You could say I'm a character actress. Or maybe a character actress who does peculiar, interesting lead roles. Does that make sense?

If you're at an award ceremony, you're against your mates.

Chaotic people often have chaotic lives, and I think they create that. But if you try and have an inner peace and a positive attitude, I think you attract that.

You can only do your best. That's all you can do. And if it isn't good enough, it isn't good enough.

I've always liked new writing.

Agents and producers have to get you into a box to accommodate their limited imaginations.

Look at Judi Dench, who's brilliant in whatever bloody job she does.

I worked in rep for six years, then I came to London and to the National Theatre. What's better than that

I was brought up a Catholic, so I take no pleasure in guilt.

The one good thing is that I get a lot more good scripts coming through my letterbox. 'Vera Drake' raised my profile in one way, and then 'Harry Potter' in another.

Fortunately my career has never been about how I look, it's about how I can be.

The Prayer that precedes all other prayer is, may the real me meet the real you.

In the history of art there are periods when bread seems so beautiful that it nearly gets into museums.

WRITE YOURSELF OUT OF THE WRONG PLACE!WRITING IS SPIRITUAL THERAPY✏#HOPENATION

Those who speak most of health, have it. Those who speak most of wealth, have it. Those who speak most of joy, have it. The opposite also holds true. So which would you rather have?

Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

I just love to work and spend time with my family. And that's the reason I don't look at the length of the role, but what it has to offer me.

The great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.

Yes, Max, you are going to die. Just like everybody else. Thank you, Confucious.

It took only seconds for me to make these discoveries, but even in that short time, my stomach nearly jumped through my mouth trying to reach the food.

I just love it when people say I can't do it, there's nothing that makes me feel better because all my life, people have said that I wasn't going to make it.