Sally Hawkins

“You always want your films to go as far as they can.”

“I love disappearing. That's what acting is. For me it's about putting on a persona, stepping into a pair of shoes. It's my face, but I'm using it as a tool for that spirit, that character.”

“It's different for every project. Some parts are quicker than others to get and know; sometimes right up until the last moment you're just praying that something will click. But you can only do a certain amount of work and then at some point you've got to think: 'OK, I'm just going to have to leap now.'”

“I remember once giving my dad some drawings and writings and said, 'If you could just give these to the publisher, that would be great.' And I was about five!”

“I know from my own experience that great films and great actors can have a really big influence on you. There is a place for art in the world, and if you're lucky enough to be good at something and to keep being given work, it's not such a bad thing.”

“I don't wear bright orange clothes or leopard skin boots, but it was really good fun to play someone that does and have an excuse too!”

“You do your bit and then you hope for the best and you think, oh I hope there's an audience at the end of the day.”

“One of the things I love about acting is that I can enter into these other people's lives. But going back to being me at the end of the day is very important, too. That process of remembering who I am.”

“I love acting but I also love writing, especially comedy.”

“The one thing that's going to get you through this business is having strong roots, being grounded and knowing what is true.”

“Being in nature is very important to me. I'm not a glamour puss.”

“I first started acting in primary school, just doing little plays. And from the moment I began, something just went 'click' inside me. Suddenly I wasn't shy anymore. Instead I felt confident and happy. I can remember the enormous sense of relief it gave me. I loved the feeling of making people laugh.”

“Of course you want to be good and you want to do the best you can, but I am inspired by great writing. If there's something about the script, that's what I go for, although I know that that doesn't always translate because sometimes it's about the vision of the director.”

“I loved working with kids, and kids are the most incredibly discerning audience. And if they don't believe you, they will tell you and let you know. I mean, kids is where it's at, really.”

“My parents have a strong work ethic, but their attitude to life, their philosophy, is: 'whatever makes you happy.'”