Diana Rigg

“I come from a generation which definitely treated anyone older and more successful with reverence. But it's much more democratic nowadays.”

“There are those who have a knowledge and passion for the theatre, and those who don't.”

“I don't have it in for critics, and I never have.”

“I rely upon the directors to fill me in before a shot.”

“To all the younglings I come across in 'Game of Thrones' who suddenly find themselves well known, I say the theatre is your best friend - they will remember you.”

“I only know how to play bad mums because they're the best parts.”

“These days, it's perfectly normal to move between the theatre and television.”

“I'm in a position to do exactly what I want. I travel quite a lot. I read prodigiously. I go to the theater, to concerts. London is a wonderful city to live in.”

“There is a life after being at the pinnacle of your beauty. Plenty of life and fun.”

“It's a question of economics. If you're paid the same as a man, which now you are in this profession, you're equal.”

“The opportunity to be bizarre - I am bizarre, aren't I? - is just so wonderful, isn't it?”

“It tends to be overlooked that many people are indirectly affected by thoughtless and cruel journalism.”

“Working keeps me young. Anything that exercises the brain like learning lines.”

“'Game of Thrones' is wonderful. My theory is they employ all these British actors because, one, they are like me and grateful. Two, we turn up, and we know our lines. Three, we don't demand a 60 ft. Winnebago and PA, and four, largely we are very uncomplaining.”

“I think I'm a mousepad. I don't want to be a mousepad, but I'm a mousepad. I'm also a screen saver, thank you very much. It's weird.”

“I wouldn't like to see a female Bond, because we wouldn't want to lose the Bond girls. But we could have a lesbian Bond - why not?”

“I step into a character in my public life. People who don't make that distinction are dooooomed.”

“You have to have the same power to lead the life you want as a man does, and that means earning the same amount of money. We still have a battle on our hands with that.”

“I've always been on the side of fully emancipated women with independent minds.”

“I'm portrayed as this tough broad, but I'm not.”