Jessica Raine

“It was a very idyllic childhood, surrounded by utterly beautiful landscapes that I got very, very bored of when I hit my teens. But being on your own a lot and being bored is good for your imagination. It makes it stretch.”

“Schedules on TV are so tight, and it feels like they get tighter and tighter with every passing year. The idea of asking where your character's come from or where they grew up - you would just get a little bit laughed at.”

“I would like to explore comedy, I want to do more theatre, and I definitely want a future in film. I love science-fiction.”

“I've not stopped going on public transport. I love going on it.”

“I always knew that the only thing I wanted to do was act, but it took me a long time to say it out loud to anyone, let alone myself. I am surprised by how dogged I have been in wanting to make a living as a respected actress.”

“For any role, I pretty much always go to the script, first and foremost.”

“I was always told at school I was posh, then I came to London, and here I'm told I have a country accent.”

“After filming, I can't wait to shake off all that '50s primness. I'll go out to a gig and dance ridiculously. I love to lose myself in music. Just letting go - it's dead important.”

“Shoes are a good starting point. I've become quite fussy about them! A patent pair of Sonia Rykiel oxfords have become invaluable.”

“You have that moment just before you go on - I've had it in every play - where you just kind of want to run away. There's a whole audience, and they are waiting outside, and you're like, 'Why am I doing this again? Why? Why?'”

“I've been thinking recently about all the qualities you need in order to be an actor. First and foremost, you've got to have a thick skin and give out an 'I don't give a monkey's what you think' kind of vibe, while at the same time really caring what everyone thinks. You've got to be tough and sensitive at the same time.”

“I'm certainly not squeamish at all. The countryside makes you very aware of birth and death.”

“My fondest memories are of watching lambs being delivered.”

“I think my dream would be to move into film, purely because there's a definite beginning, middle and end to a project. I struggle a bit with such a big series that's going all the time.”

“I hadn't realised what an institution 'Doctor Who' is.”

“The most common place I get stopped by fans is the ladies'.”

“I am not posh. I went to a comprehensive school.”

“I'd love to do films, but I'd feel bad in my gut if I did anything just for the money. I want to wait for something I'm really passionate about, even if I don't work for a year.”

“I don't want to sound too bleeding heart, because I know how lucky I've been, but I never knew how hard it was to be the lead in a television show.”

“My principal at RADA once told me, 'You'll know you're a professional when you don't feel like doing it but you have to do it.'”