Quotes from Michelle Dockery

I think the success of 'Downton' is partly because there are effectively 18 leading characters, all given equal importance, so it's enormously involving on many levels. But also, it's a new story. It's not like Dickens or Austen, where everyone knows the denouement.

The kitchen is the most important place in any house. Visit your family, and that's where you'll end up. Go to a party, that's where everyone congregates.

At the age of eight, I auditioned for 'The Sound of Music' and made it through to the third round, where we all stood in a row like the Von Trapp family and had to sing.

You learn an incredible amount doing theatre, not just about to behave.

I'm quite into the French way - simple elegance with just a suggestion of sexiness, nothing vulgar.

I can be so blown away by story lines.

It's a bit of a history lesson, being an actor. I was in 'Burnt By The Sun' at the National, which was set in Stalinist Russia, so I discovered all about that. You learn so much as you go along.

'Downton Abbey' has become this huge thing, and I really enjoy the success of it, but I sometimes find myself on the outside looking in, which is sort of a healthy way to look at it so you don't get too caught up in it.

I'm quite surprised at how out of control I can be on stage because, actually, I find I like to be in control in life. It's quite freeing, really.

You can find a connection with any Shakespeare role you play.

I want a house with a garden, but slap bang in the centre of London. Next door to a sushi bar.

A good friend of mine works at Oxfam and has been closely involved in the charity's aid efforts in Syria.

I don't mind wearing a corset, it informs your posture, changes the way you move, you can't slouch.

Cooking can cure almost anything.

I'm taller than most actresses, so most corsets tend to be too short in the body.

I loved the 'Die Hard' films growing up and the 'Taken' movies. They're so entertaining, and I enjoy being on the edge of my seat.

When I was a child, I went to stage school three times a week in the evenings - singing, ballet, tap, modern and acting, and I loved it.

Laugh at yourself - a lot. My mum taught me not to take myself too seriously.

The whole acting game can sometimes be a bit false, and you meet a lot of people in it for the fame - so there's nothing I love more than going back to Essex.

It is impossible to watch a 'Friends' episode too many times. Phoebe is my favourite character. I used to play her songs on the guitar when I was a teenager. 'Smelly Cat' is very easy. It's only about three chords.

My godchildren went to see Taylor Swift in concert and got to meet her. They literally ran toward her and hugged her, and it was amazing. I got big bonus points for it. I'll remind them when they're teenagers.

Playing Isabella in 'Measure for Measure' pushed me to my limits. Janet Suzman was directing, and she was very hard on me. I went through phases of not liking her at the time, but I loved her for it in the end.

I worked out; I moved 16 times from the age of 19, just hopping about from different flats, because I couldn't always afford to stay.

I think my parents knew before I did that I was going to be an actress, because I was doing impressions of Margaret Thatcher at the age of four.