It's how you prioritize in life.
It's how you prioritize in life.
I think I've got quite a weird face. It sort of moves a lot. People have always pointed out my disti...
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I think I've got quite a weird face. It sort of moves a lot. People have always pointed out my distinctive features - my top lip or my eyebrows - even when I was very young. They'd call me 'ski-jump lip' and all sorts of stuff; my family as much as anyone else. So I was always aware that I had these features that I couldn't do much about.
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There was a group of girls in "Tate Modern", they were all about 14 and they probably hadn't seen Th...
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There was a group of girls in "Tate Modern", they were all about 14 and they probably hadn't seen The Affair (2014), but probably saw me in Luther (2010) or Jane Eyre (2006) and they all were like, "You're on TV - give me a photo". Then I started asking them about the Alexander Calder exhibition and why they were there and they were like, "Whaaat? - we want a photo". I was quite intimidated",..."When you're on your own in tracksuit bottoms or choosing a towel in John Lewis ... I don't want anyone to know what towel I'm choosing. "I'm not really a selfie person. I mean, if I'm on my own somewhere and I'm in a beautiful location, I will take a selfie to prove that I was there but they are always terrible photos.
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[2013 interview] I'm learning to box. I wouldn't want to do a Mickey Rourke but it's amazing exercis...
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[2013 interview] I'm learning to box. I wouldn't want to do a Mickey Rourke but it's amazing exercise. The whole body gets a workout. It's half an hour but intense; I do it twice a week. I love it. I get my boxing gloves on.
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I'm more honest in acting than in life.
I'm more honest in acting than in life.
I come from theatre and I feel like I have to go back to it every few years because it's like nouris...
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I come from theatre and I feel like I have to go back to it every few years because it's like nourishment for the soul. And, as an actor, it's the place you have most control, no one cuts or edits you and you get to tell the story each night. It always boosts my confidence and my choices in the film and TV work I do after that. I tend to make bolder and more interesting choices after I've done theatre.
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I don't really plan. I just see what happens.
I don't really plan. I just see what happens.
Cleaning isn't all that interesting to me. I'm disorganized.
Cleaning isn't all that interesting to me. I'm disorganized.
I do things on a whim.
I do things on a whim.
My brothers bring me down to earth. I'm not very precious. In my family, you're not allowed to self-...
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My brothers bring me down to earth. I'm not very precious. In my family, you're not allowed to self-indulge. I'm practical and tomboyish. It has given me strength of character.
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What really excites me is the unknown, and getting to grips with something you have no idea about.
What really excites me is the unknown, and getting to grips with something you have no idea about.
There's such a huge link with fashion, with front covers of magazines and selling products, but that...
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There's such a huge link with fashion, with front covers of magazines and selling products, but that's not what you go into the job for, and yet you're persuaded that's what you have to do to create the opportunities for yourself.
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I simply want to take a break and catch my breath. But I also think that, sometimes, the bravest thi...
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I simply want to take a break and catch my breath. But I also think that, sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is to deliberately keep some time free and see what the world throws at you.
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I remembered a mantra that one of my teachers used to tell me at drama school, that every thought wi...
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I remembered a mantra that one of my teachers used to tell me at drama school, that every thought will pass across your face. Even if you're thinking about Shreddies the camera will read it.
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I value my privacy so much, and I value that people know me as my characters, which is the best thin...
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I value my privacy so much, and I value that people know me as my characters, which is the best thing about it. They know me as Alice or they know me as Alison or whatever. They don't know me very well and that's the best way to keep it.
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There are lots of moments that are great for an actress.
There are lots of moments that are great for an actress.
I haven't got one or two people that I aspired to be like.
I haven't got one or two people that I aspired to be like.
I'm drawn to damaged, complicated characters.
I'm drawn to damaged, complicated characters.
Every actor turns everything round to their character.
Every actor turns everything round to their character.
My parents are desperate, they keep saying: 'Please stop doing these angsty roles; make it easier fo...
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My parents are desperate, they keep saying: 'Please stop doing these angsty roles; make it easier for us.' So, yeah, I'd love to do some comedy.
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The difficult thing for me is going to a event and having to be dressed up and being judged for what...
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The difficult thing for me is going to a event and having to be dressed up and being judged for what you wear. People care so much about that these days.
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I work hard on the inner life of the character. I go through scripts to find out what they are think...
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I work hard on the inner life of the character. I go through scripts to find out what they are thinking underneath. This means that, as an audience, you will see things going on but won't always necessarily know what they are.
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I really love clothes, but I think I have a style of my own which is quite eclectic.
I really love clothes, but I think I have a style of my own which is quite eclectic.
It's a good time for me, but it's only recently I've become comfortable in my job. At the start, it'...
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It's a good time for me, but it's only recently I've become comfortable in my job. At the start, it's hard having the nerve to call yourself an actor, let alone doing it. I gave myself two years after drama school, and if I didn't make it, then I'd give it up.
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My remit has always been: I want to do something different from the last thing I've done.
My remit has always been: I want to do something different from the last thing I've done.
There's always been a religious strain in me. I can't get rid of it. I don't want to get rid of it. ...
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There's always been a religious strain in me. I can't get rid of it. I don't want to get rid of it. I'm not involved in a church, but I understand that impulse to believe in something that's never going to betray you.
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I've always been quite shy. Very confident but very shy.
I've always been quite shy. Very confident but very shy.
For me, there is a stigma attached to playing beautiful parts. They are often empty characters whom ...
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For me, there is a stigma attached to playing beautiful parts. They are often empty characters whom the action happens around. I'm more drawn to characters with a complex internal life, who have a burning frustration underneath that keeps them going.
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On taking six months off in 2007: I simply want to take a break and catch my breath. But I also thin...
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On taking six months off in 2007: I simply want to take a break and catch my breath. But I also think that, sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is to deliberately keep some time free and see what the world throws at you.
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I'd quite like to do a film but I'd also love to do more theater. I want to keep challenging myself ...
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I'd quite like to do a film but I'd also love to do more theater. I want to keep challenging myself with good roles. It's harder for women because there aren't as many challenging roles.
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I love complex characters - strong females who are vulnerable but have a life and soul. That's what ...
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I love complex characters - strong females who are vulnerable but have a life and soul. That's what I'm drawn to and what I enjoy most.
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I always vaguely knew I wanted to perform, but I haven't got the greatest singing voice and my danci...
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I always vaguely knew I wanted to perform, but I haven't got the greatest singing voice and my dancing isn't up to scratch. Acting was really the only alternative. My parents have been really supportive throughout.
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