Helen McCrory

“What interests me about life most is people, and the why of the world. That's what theatre looks at: it examines life, and gives it a cohesiveness that life doesn't have.”

“I feel as though my life is bathed in golden sunlight. And the really wonderful thing is that I know it.”

“I was very lucky. I left college, and Richard Eyre was in charge of the National Theatre. I was offered the lead in 'The Seagull' with no experience and went on to do five plays there.”

“I love London, and it's a privilege for my children to grow up here.”

“Every time, at any point of my life, I think now is always the best age to be.”

“It's what people create that makes my heart stop.”

“My own parents were very un-neurotic, so I never thought that I had to change enormously in order to become a parent.”

“A perfect weekend in London has to start on Friday night, by going to the theatre, the Donmar or the National. It's a cliche for an actor, but I enjoy going as much as possible.”

“I've often sat down with people talking about a film I've been in, and they haven't realised I was in it.”

“I love live performance and have huge admiration for people who can really do it. It's the same with music: I'll play a record and think that I'm not really into country or ragga. But, if it's live and the musicians are good, I'll listen to pretty much anything.”

“I think change is good because it teaches you that it's nothing to be frightened of.”