Lena Headey

As a teenager I was clinically depressed. Although I had lots of friends, I found those years very difficult.

Sometimes it's a bizarre, fairly cold, and horrifying thing to be a parent.

I am very much a seat-of-the-pants actor. I will prepare when I have to. But I like being unprepared.

There's nothing more exciting for an actor than a chance to lose, to be someone who has lost - especially if it's someone who starts off with a veneer of control. To be broken is wonderful.

I have an internal protectiveness where it's like, if it comes to just me, as frightened as I am of losing someone I love or things going sour or simply being alone, there is a dark place in my brain where I'm like, It could happen and I'm okay, I'm prepared.

I love being physical, but I am extreme either way. I can be superfit. And then I can be really lazy and ignore everything.

There is something in the act of having tattoos done that I love. It can be quite addictive. I've got a few on my back because my friend is an artist, and a few on my arms. Every time I pass a tattoo parlour, I think, 'Maybe just a tiny one.'

I would love to work with Shane Meadows - great director.

I love the chance to train with someone like Mark Twight.

I miss that London thing of walking outside and bumping into mates and going, 'Do you want to get a pint?'

I'd love to have played Joan of Arc. That would have been amazing.

It's a feeling without a lid, of what you would do, physically, verbally, to protect the one thing that is your greatest love.