Joan Hickson

“I watch these old films in black and white, and suddenly the door opens, and there I am. The other day, I was wearing the most awful hat.”

“I love getting back to Wivenhoe. I get out of my wig, bustle and costume in three minutes flat at the end of the play before jumping into a taxi outside the theater and catching the train home.”

“I was lucky not to have been born pretty.”

“Miss Marple believes in justice and has very high standards. There is nothing you could say or do that would shock her.”

“Retirement is fatal. Luckily, in my profession, you don't have to retire.”

“I thought I was the wrong shape: that Miss Marple would be much fluffier than me, much more wearing shawls and things. But I was persuaded, and now, well - I can only do it my way.”

“I wasn't beautiful, so there were plenty of character roles. I never did any Shakespeare, I'm far too superficial for that. I just act instinctively.”

“I have never been a star; I'm just an old character bag.”