Richard C. Armitage

I suppose I'm a bit mean. My face on camera doesn't lend itself to happy nice guys. I think it's just that my bone structure looks menacing.

I'm looking forward to getting fat and old.

It's bloody annoying being shy. I'll spend a whole evening at a party asking everyone else about themselves. I'm not being self-deprecating; it's because I'm too shy to talk about myself. So people come away from the evening actually having learnt nothing about me.

I'd like to act in a film without special effects.

I never like to go out of character when filming starts. I fear that if I do, I might not be able to pick it up again.

I have a bit of pride, which is always my downfall.

I've never been that cute kid that was forgiven for being naughty.

I come from very conservative parents, and we weren't particularly wealthy, but we were comfortable.

I think insanity is the hardest thing to play.

You fight for certain roles, and you realise they're being filled by television and film actors, because theatre is constantly fighting for survival and they need names and faces and ticket sales.

Monet was like a conductor. He painted with quite a straight arm and used bold strokes.

I've become one of those actors who find it difficult to say 'no' when things are offered.