Quotes

About California... "I thought it was an appalling place. Then I went through a period of being amused by it. Now it's sort of both. Californians don't have that marvelous British cynicism, but then the British can be so patronizing at times".

On her nude scenes: "I didn't have any qualms. I'm used to taking my clothes off in front of strangers. I've done it since I was 14 - with my mother's adult education art classes. She liked to paint and I went along as a life model."

It's funny. I'm now in a more senior position and yet those feelings of sheer utter excitement of going to work just don't exist any more. - on ER (1994)

"Certainly, since Anthony Edwards left ER (1994), I would say that my work on the show has diminished in terms of the challenges I face as an actress and what I am getting to do creatively on the show. If it continues to be diminished, then I am not going to be very happy".

I do get annoyed with myself. I wish I was more focused and pushy as an actress. I suppose I should be out there more saying, "I want to do this role" or "Get me seen by this person." But that's just not me.

On playing Dr. River Song in the Doctor Who (2005) episodes "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead": I've always wanted to be like Sigourney Weaver in Alien (1979); this is probably as close as I'll get.

Like all women, there are things that I don't like. My butt's heading closer to the ground every year, and I'm not overjoyed about that.