Until film is just as easily accessible as a pen or pencil, then it's not completely an art form. In painting, you can just pick up a piece of chalk, a stick, or whatever. In sculpture, you can get a rock. Writing, you just need a pencil and paper. Film has been a very elitist medium. It costs so much money.

Cinema and the arts invite viewers to focus on a story and, in doing so, peel away its layers and peer into the depths of the human soul.

When I was a kid, the only way I saw movies was from the back seat of my family's car at the drive-in.

As human beings, we all have reasons for our behavior. There may be people who have certain physiological issues that dictate why they make certain choices. On the whole, though, I think we're dictated by our structure, our past, our environment, our culture. So once you understand the patterns that shape a person, how can you not find sympathy?

I love to play chess. The last time I was playing, I started to really see the board. I don't mean just seeing a few moves ahead - something else. My game started getting better. It's the patterns. The patterns are universal.

I think 'The Color of Money' was very instrumental in opening up other opportunities. People started to recognize me as an artist after that film. And then, after I did 'Bird,' it was more solidified.

Stereotypes do exist, but we have to walk through them.

The biggest thing about 'Lady Macbeth' is the fact that people are so surprised that this woman is so amazing, and really, it shouldn't be so amazing that this incredible character is on our screens.

I want women on-screen that we all either want to be, or we know, or we recognize.

When you're given a platform, and you're allowed to perform, and someone's there to heighten you as opposed to dampen you, that's a nice feeling.

I love Le Carre's writing.

What audiences love with series is that they can invest in characters for such a long period of time, and it's the same for actors. You can truly tell your story; then it's done.

I always hate it when I see the wrong person in massive roles, so for me, my biggest fear would be accepting a role I thought I wouldn't find the rhythm of.

I got a really good insight into the world of wrestling.

I wrestled at the Staples Centre at 'Monday Night Raw' when I was 21 years old.

With 'Lady Macbeth,' I had two other things offered to me, and they would have also been very fun, but you just have to figure that out. And then you do it.

When I look for roles, I am looking for incredibly powerful women.

I played Mary at the age of seven in my first nativity play, and I loved it - there is something so fascinating about embodying someone else.

As an actor, it's very interesting to make the audience love you while you are doing horrendous things.

Do we need to have a female Bond? Couldn't we just make something new?

Someone asked if I wanted to be the first female Bond, and I was saying that I don't think we necessarily need that whole conversation.

I think everyone's always interested in playing a spy, right? That's something we grow up admiring, which is so strange, but it's just a very clever and quick world that we all want to be a part of.

The fact that I've been nominated for a BAFTA is insane.

I used to reenact 'Titanic' all the time.