Quotes

The thing I adore about acting is that it's not me: you get to experience all these emotions, but essentially it's not you.

I trained as a ballet dancer and fell in love with Rudolf Nureyev; I thought him the most beautiful creature. My mum had to break it to me that not only was he gay, but he was dead.

Everything you listen to when you are 17 should be embarrassing, otherwise you are way too cool.

You don't automatically assume everyone will fall for a period drama.

Unfortunately I had an ankle problem and underwent three operations.

There's a reason hobble skirts are called hobble skirts. You literally can't move very far in them.

I don't mind giving everyone a shock - including myself.

I am a hopeless romantic.

On the surface, it's really easy to dismiss certain characters, but sometimes you find that the most interesting parts are disappointingly shallow. It's your job as an actress to pull that person apart, and work out why they act the way that they do.

I'm starting to shake it off, I am quite self-conscious, and it's only when I'm playing roles that I can escape that. The older I get, the more people tell me it's absolutely fine to be the way you are with all your quirks and nuances, and I wish I'd learnt that younger - I would have relaxed a bit more.

My style icons would be people like Brigitte Bardot and old Hollywood actresses who always look so stunning, cool and chic. I like classic and timeless looks.

I'm hungry for a cold and mean character. I'd love it if someone thought I could play gritty. I want to play a baddie - someone really scary.

I trained as a ballet dancer - well, I started when I was two and a half, and was serious about it from when I was eight until I was 18.

I filmed Albatross (2011) before I got 'Downton.' It's a coming-of-age movie about this girl who leaps into this family's life, like a whirlwind. She's ballsy and brash and wonderful, it was such an amazing character to play.

I trained as a ballet dancer till I was 18, so I would really like to get back to it. I'd love it if there was a part that meant I could do both acting and ballet, as they're both so close to my heart.

At 17, we all think we know what we're doing.

[being filmed topless in the film Albatross] To be honest, Albatross was naivete and not knowing that I could say no. I had no idea what was going to happen and thought I was going to be shot from behind. It's not something I would do again.