Lesley Sharp

“I realized a few years ago that as an actress I'd signed myself up to a life of disempowerment. I'm always waiting for permission to do what I want to do.”

“Being on stage is like running a marathon every night.”

“I think everybody, at some point, rather feels that they have to shake themselves up somehow.”

“Because I think your twenties are really difficult, aren't they?”

“Often the people who seem to be the ones who hold themselves together very well in the workplace are not as successful at home.”

“That's the thing about 'Three Girls' I found most upsetting. Young women feel their only options are to hook up with guys who've got vodka and cigarettes because they can't actually imagine a future that's any different. That's terrible.”

“I've got a big nose, and that's from my birth father.”

“What was fantastic about 'Scott and Bailey' was the opportunity to engage with female characters that were absolutely committed to their working life but also had to cope with all of the outside stress and pressure of their real lives.”

“I've been so grateful for writing, and writers and, actually I would say that that is the cornerstone of my career, the writing. That's the truth of the work that I've done in theatre and it's definitely the case for the work that I've been lucky enough to do on screen.”

“The really hard thing for both men and women is getting older: it becomes increasingly difficult to live a life based on uncertainty, disempowerment is written into the job description.”

“I'm certainly old enough to be a grandmother. I think it's interesting that it should be an issue, that being seen as a grandmother should be terrifying to women.”

“And whether or not you're interested in opera or classical music or folk music or the theatre, I think that for a nation's health and well-being it's very important that the arts scene is supported.”

“The thing that gives me most pleasure is when I feel I've really engaged with my colleagues, other like-minded individuals, in getting something to work, and that I'm part of something.”

“It's very important to do things that you believe in - if you're bored by what you do, try something else.”

“I don't like to generalize about men, but I do feel there's still a long way to go if we want a society that is civilized, kind and tolerant, not biased, bigoted, homophobic or racist.”

“Working with Mike Leigh is a process of distillation.”

“I feel pretty disillusioned about the politics and politicians in this country - and angry.”

“If you're adopted, you can't help but feel, somehow or other, deep, deep, deep down inside that you don't belong. It makes you feel like you've got a question mark inside you.”

“At times I am very self-critical and disappointed with my appearance, and there are other times I think, 'How lucky I am to be alive.'”

“You know when actors are very shy and self-effacing? Well, I really love it when people like my work, but I'm also really embarrassed about it. It's strange. And a bit pathetic really.”