Sophie Okonedo

I do love being an actress. The other stuff, the 'fame', well - you know what? - you don't actually have to buy into it if you don't want to.

I love being a punter.

I always find something in all the characters I play. I fall in love with them a little bit.

My first love is a wonderful script. It's the story.

There are just more roles for me in America. Sadly. Because I love working in Britain. It's my home.

I love the industry I'm in, and it's been really generous to me.

I don't like going for more than a year without doing theatre. I don't mind falling flat on my face so long as I feel I'm open to the possibility of something extraordinary happening.

I'm drawn to stories about ordinary people who get tangled up in an extraordinary event or idea or emotion. I'm not saying I don't love films about super-people or super-doctors, but my preference is for stories about how we get through this life, what it is to be human, because I'm always struggling with it myself.

With everything in my life, I don't think too much ahead.

I listen much better when I'm acting than I do in real life.

I've told lots of lies in my life. I try not to lie, but I still do. It's very difficult to get to 37 and not be ashamed of something you've done. But I think your life is easier, ultimately, if you're honest.

My life is not nuts. I hardly ever watch television, I don't go out very much, so I don't really know what's going on.