Gina McKee

The National Youth Theatre did one very simple but incredible thing for me: it made me realise I had choices. ”

I'm extremely self-critical. Although I try not to be ridiculous about it, wearing horsehair shirts and all that. It's a private exercise I don't necessarily share with other people. ”

Usually I can go for three or four weeks and then I start to bake cakes or make jewellery and I think, 'hang on a minute, I'm obviously bored rigid. I need to get back out there.' ”

I was one of those kids who found it difficult to eat anything that looked like an animal. ”

Being an actor somehow can be a perverse extension of that feeling we generally all have as children, that feeling of wanting to please. Of course you're looking for affirmation, encouragement. ”

I think I'm very open and friendly and warm. ”

I think it's nice to be able to make a product, put it out there and let other people decide what they think. ”

I love that, even after jumping through hoops forever, I can still get that buzz, that hook. That's very healthy, but it's bittersweet, too, because if you don't get the part, you have to deal with the disappointment. I don't think I'll ever negotiate those peaks and troughs wholly healthily. ”

There are different definitions of love, and one of the most wonderful definitions of love is to allow somebody to be. ”

There's a way of negotiating how you portray your private life publicly that I've never had the skill to do. ”