BRENDA BLETHYN

Maybe wanting to retire is my ambition.

It's a real leveller, you know, to do theatre at least once every two years.

When I left drama school, there were dozens of rep theatres you could apply to where you got a good training.

The strange thing is that since I've been offered lots of films I think that maybe they think that I've sold out to Hollywood. Which is not the case if anybody's listening.

Everyone the world over talks about British actors and British talent and I think that's because we were trained - until now - in theatre.

I love silence.

In fact at home I sometimes like to be quiet and hear the sounds of the world outside.

I've made six films since I made Secrets and Lies but I still live in London and I'd love to do theater.

The academy awards in England; it's a classy affair as well.

I think behind closed doors people behave differently no matter what period we're looking at, because people have to stand up straight in public but can slouch behind closed doors - can you imagine wearing those corsets?

Even if I hadn't have been nominated for an Oscar, to have won the Golden Glove was just fantastic.

Anything where people have to work together makes me cry.

I knew Secrets and Lies was a great film, but I didn't expect it to get the attention it did because none of his other films had and I thought they were just as good.

I think people often confuse success with fame and stardom.

It's the same as any role and I find that you can't lump characters together; because they all have different life experiences, different reasons for being the way they are.

I like the enthusiasm but not the insincerity of Los Angeles.

I always considered myself very successful even before the success of Secrets and Lies.

Before every performance, I think I am about to keel over.

I've done a lot of costume drama and theatre - the National Theatre and In fact, most of my work at the theatre, at the National Theatre anyway, was period.

People say to me that I can't be nervous because I've had such a wealth of experience, but I tell them that I have never done this particular part before.

I've never done a big studio film, I've only ever done little ones.

I hate that people think going to the theatre is a special occasion. I wish people would treat it as normally as going to the cinema.

Being a secretary was considered a very good job in those days.

I always think 12 times before saying anything.

At the risk of sounding naff, it is having hope fulfilled.