You have worked in some brilliant, gritty British dramas – Misfits and Utopia have been a huge success.  Is this a genre you particularly enjoy?
Yes. I think it was more a moment that television was going through in general, but I was very happy to be part of it. Both those shows really did things differently stylistically, they each had such a distinct tone. I try to avoid the word gritty as it’s become such a trope, but they both definitely made their mark.

What boxes have to be ticked for you before getting involved in a new piece of work?
Ha! That makes it sound like I have a choice. Mostly I think it really comes down to the script. Not necessarily character, although obviously I eventually become focused on that, but usually it’s whether or not the story is interesting and the script really delivering that story in a unique nuanced way. I also love hanging out with the director and really getting on board with their vision…I find those conversations particularly exciting.

Tell us something no one knows about you?
Drinks, dinner and soft lighting first.

What has been the most surreal moment in your career?
A few. I did a film last year set in the porn industry in California. I visited real porn sets. Say no more.

If you could return to any program you have been in, that has finished – what would it be?
Utopia. If only to know what was going to happen!

You are currently taking part in Angels In America, are you pursuing any further stage based projects in the future?
That show was incredible to be involved in and probably one of the most prescient projects I’ve ever done so it’ll be hard to go immediately into something else theatre wise. I hadn’t done a play for six years before that and it was nice to be back. I’d say something classical but probably just a comedy, and since ‘Angels’ was seven and half hours long – a short one!

Interview by Ian Casey
Photography by Andrea Vecchiato
Grooming by Gloria Penaranda