People have preconceptions about women of a certain age.
I mean, I've done musicals, but it's not my best thing.
Since I've turned 50, I've had the best roles of my life, and I've got married. Everyone said that wasn't possible because there are no men, but I've done it. I think it's just going to get better.
I can do basics, but I'm not a proper cook. I can do a roast. I can stick a chicken in the oven with vegetables.
People are always asking me for my favorite recipe, and I have to say, 'I don't really have one.'
I've been to the White House and had Hilary Clinton push through the crowd to come and meet me. Chelsea Clinton, too.
I get invited to a lot more glamorous parties since I've been in 'Downton Abbey,' which has made me much more fashion conscious.
I want to have a scene with Maggie Smith.
I believe anything can happen.
I go dog-walking a lot.
People I've never spoken to before come up to me and give me a hug.
I guess that is my favorite thing - to make people laugh and also to maybe engage them emotionally and touch them somehow in telling the story.
Coming eyeball to eyeball with a hummingbird on my terrace is as exciting to me as any celebrity I've met as a result of 'Downton Abbey.'
'Sweeney Todd' is my favorite Sondheim musical.
I was painfully shy as a child.
I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if I'd got 'Downton Abbey' when I was 22.
I have been invited to do something called 'Celebrity MasterChef' in England, which, of course, I can't do. It's complete nonsense. You have to be a decent cook to begin with. I'd be the joke one.
When you look back, I think things are as they are meant to be. Timing is very important.
The first role I played was Madame Ranevsky in 'The Cherry Orchard.'
I always admire people who have passion.
