I had a period of unemployment for about nine months after my first big break, and it's the greatest lesson I ever could have learned, never to believe you're home and dry.

There are a lot of parallels between the historical Henry VIII and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. There's an oscillation and extremity of emotion throughout his repertoire that lends itself beautifully to the nature of Henry VIII, definitely. He will push things to the limit, and yet remain in emotional control.

Anne Boleyn is an intriguing character. She seems to appeal to modern-day women in a very potent way. Because she was such an independently opinionated and spirited young woman, which at the time was unheard of.

I try to stay consciously away from the roles of the girl who throws herself at the leading man, because I've done it a lot and I want to move on. I ticked that box.

I did every job under the sun from bartending to ushering to temping.

It's fascinating how much of our sense of attractiveness and feminine identity is bound up in our hair.

I'm a serial monogamist and would never dream of being as predatory as some of the women I've played. I can actually be a bit shy.

I'm a massive yoga head. Lots of yoga and lots of running. I do Bikram yoga. I adore it.

Because of my job, I get a lot of opportunity to grab a few days here and there in many cool cities for press commitments, magazine shoots and premieres - Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Paris, Stockholm, New York, Berlin. I always try to get to a gallery or museum if there's time.

The Gili Islands gave me some of my best scuba diving experiences, including tons of turtles.

The train system in India is chaotic and fun - it's the best way to see the landscape. Being in with all the families and also being the odd animal is a colourful experience you'll never forget.

I'm a 'Blackadder' girl.

Make-up is all about shading; it's about tactical application.

I'm a feminist in the true sense of the word. It's about equality.

What I love about 'Mockingjay, Part 1' is that President Coin or Cressida could have easily been played by a man, and if you look at 'Interstellar,' the Anne Hathaway or Jessica Chastain roles would have been men years ago.

I'm glad that cinema is catching up to what television has known for a while: That three-dimensional, complex women get an audience engaged as much as the men.

I've taken my clothes off enough in my career.

I'm a natural blonde!

We live in one of the most complex ages for young, professional women.

I love being part of huge mega blockbusters, and I love being a part of small independent films and small stage.

I think every actor brings something personal to a role, right?

When I see a fan coming over, I can't help but make an assumption about what they want to talk about. A middle-aged American woman will head over, and I think, 'Game of Thrones.' Turns out it's 'The Tudors' or 'Elementary' or 'The Hunger Games.' It's always a surprise.

I've played a lot of elegance and refinement, so to do something really down and dirty is a great attraction.

As a child, I was prancing around in my mother's high heels and a ra-ra skirt, singing 'Material Girl' into my hairbrush.

It's funny how being an actor forces you to do things or go places that you wouldn't ordinarily.

Women have a lot of... attitudes enforced in us about our sense of attractiveness being bound up in long, flowing, Hollywood kind of hair.

The beauty of 'The Hunger Games' and also 'Game of Thrones,' in fairness, both projects have really complex, three-dimensional, contradictory, strong women... The writing of female characters is extraordinary and equal to the men.

I've never been far from the river. I'm sort of like a Thames-nymph.

More often than not, I get cast as quite Machiavellian roles - it's something about my face; I'm quite shifty or something!

Network shows shoot so fast, so you kind of have to just go with your instinct.

I was frequently told at drama school that I was thinking too much. And I still have to suppress that part of me because it can sometimes be a hindrance.

I love poker!

I've been insane from a very early age.

When girls bully, it's very subtle, and you can't define it. At least with boys, the bullying is usually explicit, and you can deal with it. It's psychological with girls.

I want to keep people guessing.

Sci-fi always runs out a little bit ahead of reality, right? Automatic doors in 'Star Trek,' stuff like that. It all happened, didn't it, finally?

Positivity is like a muscle: keep exercising it, and it becomes a habit.

Always go into meetings or negotiations with a positive attitude. Tell yourself you're going to make this the best deal for all parties.

When you love something, it doesn't feel like work.

My personal ambition remains the same - to be creative, to be modern, to stay one step ahead, to enjoy life.

As much as I love to shop online, I also love walking the streets on a beautiful day and seeing what finds I can discover in a small shop or vintage store.

Never forget that you only have one opportunity to make a first impression - with investors, with customers, with PR, and with marketing.

Having the positive belief that it will all be O.K. just means that you hustle and make it work because failure is not even an option in your own mind.

It is a changing world with changing opportunities.

I am honoured and excited to be taking on the role of chairman of the British Fashion Council.

If you want success, be unique.

The interesting thing about London is that there are always stylish surprises around every corner.

I thrive on competition.

For Net-A-Porter and its customers, luxury means exceptional service, 24-7 - wherever they are, whenever they have time.

People always ask is it hard being an entrepreneur and a mum, and the answer is 'yes.'