Playing Isabella in 'Measure for Measure' pushed me to my limits. Janet Suzman was directing, and she was very hard on me. I went through phases of not liking her at the time, but I loved her for it in the end.
— Michelle Dockery
The kitchen is the most important place in any house. Visit your family, and that's where you'll end up. Go to a party, that's where everyone congregates.
'Expect nothing and hope for the best' is my mantra. A drama teacher called Joseph Blatchley told me that, and it's the best advice I've had. If you keep an open mind and don't expect too much, then you won't be disappointed.
I loved the 'Die Hard' films growing up and the 'Taken' movies. They're so entertaining, and I enjoy being on the edge of my seat.
It's great to have a home and everything else that comes with it.
At the age of eight, I auditioned for 'The Sound of Music' and made it through to the third round, where we all stood in a row like the Von Trapp family and had to sing.
I think my parents knew before I did that I was going to be an actress, because I was doing impressions of Margaret Thatcher at the age of four.
There's no particular role that comes to mind that I'd like to take on, but for me, it's about playing interesting characters and not just two-dimensional ones.
We take so many of our freedoms for granted nowadays - I can travel where I like, I can do any job I want - but I think chivalry has been lost a little bit.
I'm quite into the French way - simple elegance with just a suggestion of sexiness, nothing vulgar.
People will consider me a part of their lives for however long 'Downton Abbey' lasts. It's a lovely thing to feel as an actor.
I'm taller than most actresses, so most corsets tend to be too short in the body.
It's a bit of a history lesson, being an actor. I was in 'Burnt By The Sun' at the National, which was set in Stalinist Russia, so I discovered all about that. You learn so much as you go along.
Silk scarves are my thing. I tie them to my handbag or thread them through belt loops or wear them in my hair. Never round my neck, though.
I wasn't an academic. I hated maths and science at school. I couldn't concentrate.
I worked out; I moved 16 times from the age of 19, just hopping about from different flats, because I couldn't always afford to stay.
I love discovering tiny streets.
Shakespeare is renewed each time you see it or read it. I've seen 'Midsummer Night's Dream' so many times, and each time it's a little different, or a different line leaps out at me. It's like re-reading a good book over and over, always noticing something you hadn't seen the time before - and that's rare.
It is impossible to watch a 'Friends' episode too many times. Phoebe is my favourite character. I used to play her songs on the guitar when I was a teenager. 'Smelly Cat' is very easy. It's only about three chords.
I love singing live, actually. And I'm dying to sing in a role, whether it's in a musical or a biographical film about a singer. It's always been one of my aspirations.
A good friend of mine works at Oxfam and has been closely involved in the charity's aid efforts in Syria.
I'm not accident prone, really, but I was cutting something and sort of lost control, and it went through my big toe. There was a lot of blood and I nearly fainted, but its totally fine now.
It's always fun to play dress up.
It's old news, me and my accent, but it always seems to make headlines.
Being in the same scenes as Maggie Smith and Shirley MacLaine is something I will never forget.
I'd like to do something that involves music.
You learn an incredible amount doing theatre, not just about to behave.
I'm the youngest of three sisters, and my parents have always encouraged all of us to do whatever made us happy.
The way I see it, the third series of 'Downton Abbey' is all about change and how each character adapts to those changes.
The whole acting game can sometimes be a bit false, and you meet a lot of people in it for the fame - so there's nothing I love more than going back to Essex.
I just want a really varied career, and just to keep going, really.
I think so often you can come out of drama school and get thrown in the deep end.
In my twenties, I was a bit of a worrier; it bothered me what people thought of me, what job I was doing.
My mum taught me always to see the funny side of things.
You can find a connection with any Shakespeare role you play.
I regret not learning to drive when I was younger.
Cooking can cure almost anything.
I'm not from aristocracy, or anything like that.
My godchildren went to see Taylor Swift in concert and got to meet her. They literally ran toward her and hugged her, and it was amazing. I got big bonus points for it. I'll remind them when they're teenagers.
I think the first time I realised 'Downton Abbey' was a hit was when I was sitting in a tea shop in New York and the couple next to me were talking about 'Downton Abbey,' and then they recognised me.
I just enjoy acting, whatever area - theatre, film, television.
I'm not on Twitter, but I am on Instagram and follow Lena Dunham and Usher.
I don't have to walk around in hats or find remote places to go for lunch! I don't get recognised that often.
Until I was 27, I'd maybe been to America once and, like, Ibiza when I was 18. That was it.
My dad worked all sorts of jobs when I was growing up and finally ended up as a surveyor; my mum delivers meals to old folk around where we live. We didn't have much money when I was growing up, but I had a very happy childhood.
I do believe in one true love.
I want a house with a garden, but slap bang in the centre of London. Next door to a sushi bar.
I'm quite surprised at how out of control I can be on stage because, actually, I find I like to be in control in life. It's quite freeing, really.
I had dance training from a very young age, 3 or 4... It taught me how to present myself, about preparation and working in an ensemble, and it's something that carries with me to this day.
I love cycling, but if I could find a way of building something above the streets for cyclists, that would be amazing. We need even more space.
