You need to keep on doing things you have never done before in your career. You have to have a go.
— Penelope Wilton
It's true, I've become one of those grumpy older women.
In my life, I've had estates in Russia, houses in Spain, in Norway, in the deep south of America.
I have spent my whole life educating myself.
I've learnt to listen. I don't think I always did listen.
I love the drive from York to Whitby over the moors - one of the great journeys, in my book.
I find talking about acting very boring, having to come out with platitudes about how terribly nice everyone is. I would much rather just do it.
You don't go to a comedy and try to laugh. You laugh in spite of yourself. You don't just come on stage and cry. Something has pushed you to cry.
I can't understand why people so readily put themselves up to be humiliated.
Acting attracts shy people and show-offs.
I am drawn to characters that go on journeys, characters that are real people, that have life.
I've had very close relationships with some twentieth-century writers.
The trouble with anyone when they're unhappy or in a relationship they recognize is not working but don't know what to do about is that they can't see farther out than that. If the relationship is not working, if what was there isn't there anymore, you have to do something about it.
I've never lost a grown-up child, but I have known loss.
You can't look at people being crucified. Even if you know it is just pretend.
Mostly in life people are trying not to have emotions.
I don't really care any longer what other people think.
I don't tell everyone my life history because if everyone knows your inside-leg measurement, how can you surprise them?
The thing about being an actor is that you turn into other people. You have to hide yourself a bit in order to let that other person come out.
I don't think I've been in a supporting role in any of the plays I've done, ever.
Some people will never change.
People in distress behave in a stressful way. They aren't all sweetness and light. They don't behave well when they are unhappy. That's just what I've observed.
When you play someone who is an iconic figure you can't go into it lightly.
