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Home is…
Oxfordshire where I grew up, Los Angeles, London or wherever I am for work.
Where do you stay in London?
I love the Covent Garden Hotel. It’s cosy and beautiful, and they make you feel at home. I have some great memories from the Baftas and stayed there with my parents when I received an MBE.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
Paddington Bear.
Where do you work out?
I love walking on Hampstead Heath: it’s so good for the soul.
Bus, taxi or Tube?
Oooh, depends on the time of day… I try to avoid the Tube in the morning rush hour; too sweaty! I’m still a big kid about London buses and love sitting on the top deck and gazing out of the window people watching.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
Maybe a stroll along the South Bank? Not too much pressure and plenty of options for spontaneity from art to theatre to food. I feel like you can learn a lot about someone from walking together.
Where would you most like to be buried?
I lived near Highgate Cemetery when I was at drama school and found it fascinating… so much history. I also recently discovered Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington.
Who is your hero?
Nelson Mandela: ‘ The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.’
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
Make theatre free.
What’s your London secret?
I recently stayed at a friend’s in Newington Green, Jolene is great for breakfast and Newington Green Fruit & Vegetable greengrocer is an authentic gem.
Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
‘There’s always the idiot in a white bleeding van; if it wasn’t for him you’d be at Old Street by now giving your friend a kiss!’
What do you collect?
Stamps in my passport.
Biggest extravagance?
A 90-minute deep tissue massage. I like to think it’s medicinal.
Last play you saw?
Rosmersholm by Ibsen in the West End with Hayley Atwell and Tom Burke. Ian Rickson is one of my favourite theatre directors and the performances were terrific.
Best meal you’ve had?
I recently had a great dinner at J Sheekey with two of my oldest friends. We ate oysters, drank Martinis and caught up after a long time — a joyful treat.
Favourite shops?
Foyles — the best bookshop in the world, and they do cake upstairs! Glow Bar on Mortimer Street and its infrared sauna for when you want to sweat, but you don’t want to move: a great jet lag buster.
What are you up to for work at the moment?
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is out on Netflix. Farming was released recently, Motherless Brooklyn is in cinemas later this year and The Morning Show is just out for Apple.
‘Motherless Brooklyn’ is out Dec 6.
