“If the president of the country is not actually saying something, allowing equality to happen, how could you expect to counsel kids not to bully other kids?”

I have no regrets in my life even the crazy things I’ve been in. It all made me the I am today and I wouldn’t change anything. I’m happy with who I am!

For example, Americans seem reluctant to take on Shakespeare because you don’t think you’re very good at it – which is rubbish. You’re missing out here.

I’m not a fan of Twitter.

Actually I like working kind of fast, because if you got it, why bother doing it over and over?

It’s exciting to be with really, really good people. Some people make you feel like you’ve got to up your game.

I like the tragedies way more than the comedies because they’re so universal.

I don’t avoid anyone but I always think some people hate me.

I wouldn’t do my roles if I really hated it. I’ve done things I hated, but I didn’t go into them thinking I would hate them. I want to have fun. I don’t want to go to work and not enjoy it.

I’ve actually found – especially doing my cabaret show – I’m connecting with people in a way I haven’t connected with them. I’ve found that when you’re open and honest, people respond to that, whatever you’re being open and honest about.

He … knew, in that instant, that his life would not be an easy one-he was different, he looked different, he thought differently.

If they’re not seeing that their society sees gay people as equals, how could you tell them what they’re doing is wrong?

I think American actors are much more intimidated by Shakespeare. I actually want to do this Shakespeare play in New York, but I think it’s interesting that there’s this gaping hole in the repertoire in the American theater, which is Shakespeare.

So the experts think we could have an AIDS-free generation in Africa by 2015, even if the mothers are positive.

Pantomime is a big thing in the cultural calendar of my country, you know. So subtlety’s not my forte.

In my first year at drama school, I did this kids’ show called ‘Let’s See.

I think people deny themselves by putting themselves into categories.

That, for me, actually is the most important thing about doing a period film is trying to make these people as lovable as they are back then.

If you look at it, the corset is a very beautiful item, but when I put one on, I realized how little you could actually move.

I am none of these; I’m a normal man with a good memory who fell into a maelstrom and got out of it more by luck than by virtue, and who from that time on has preserved a certain curiosity about maelstroms large and small, metaphorical and actual.

a writer doesn’t only need the time when he’s actually writing – he or she has got to have time to think and time just to let things work out. Nothing is worse for this than society. Nothing is worse for this than the abrasive, if enjoyable, effect of other people.

I think it’s fine for girls to ask boys out. I actually prefer it.

I just happen to believe that people are not stupid. And the way I will come at it is to educate people, help people to actually understand that it is that progressive movement that is causing them the problems.

I introduced legislation in the Senate that I believe is more narrowly focused at the actual threat, which is radical Islamic terrorism, and what my legislation would do is suspend all refugees for three years from countries where ISIS or Al Qaida control substantial territory.

I actually think film and TV are sort of the same thing now. To me they’re all motion pictures. There’s a camera, a script, other actors and a director. Doing a sitcom is a little different.