Quotes

I don't know why British actors are getting big parts in American TV shows. Maybe it's because we're cheap.

I went to America to get away from constantly being cast in costume dramas, playing posh people. It's interesting that I've been cast as a working-class cop [The Wire (2002)] because I doubt that would happen at home. The films I most enjoy in England are by Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, but it's very unlikely I would be cast in them; I've tried a few times, but I'm perceived as posh.

[on The Wire (2002)] The show provokes a kind of obsessive following. Those who love it kind of cherish the fact that it's not quite as world-renowned as The Sopranos (1999). It's like being in a secret club.

[on working with Julia Roberts on Mona Lisa Smile (2003)] The movie didn't make much sense. We would be given new scenes to film out of the blue which, it transpired, had been written by Julia's agent, who was doubling as a producer. I don't know what anyone was doing there. No one seemed to enjoy it. Especially not Julia. She had just got married and just wanted to be off having sex with her husband. Trouble was, she had married the cameraman on the movie. You can't really relax in a sex scene when the husband is staring right at you.

If you turn on American TV, there's a huge choice of nothing you want to see and, unfortunately, I think that's the case here now as well. I love costume drama, no-one does it like the BBC - no-one has the money to do it, first of all and, secondly, Americans don't have the history to do it. So we do it brilliantly but if you talk to any BBC producers, they abhor the fact... they're dying to do The Wire (2002) and hate doing Cranford (2007) . I thought Cranford (2007) was incredible but we don't seem to be able to do contemporary stuff.

You've got to grab every opportunity that comes up.

I've hung out at dozens of playgrounds, bored out of my mind, with not even a look of comfort from disapproving mothers all around me. Either they think I'm a pedophile or a deadbeat dad. That's what I get for being a single dad - suspicious looks at the playground.

People seem to think I'm Satan.

The kiss always gets a hell of a reaction.

For a straight man, I seem to have to kiss an awful lot of men!

It would have been an interesting run if we hadn't gotten along! It was good casting, I suppose.

Since I got married my wife doesn't really let me wear anything that I used to because she says I have no taste at all.

I look ridiculous in a three-piece suit - I'm too fat.

If you do an American TV series, before the audition you sign away the next five years of your life.

I'm only stopped by people in uniform, whether it's customs people, janitors, or the FBI - they all watch The Wire (2002). Sadly, beautiful, glamorous women don't know anything about it.

No, I don't think The Wire (2002) screwed up my career at all.

Prince Charles is the best-dressed man in the world.

Apparently it'll all settle down and they'll forget about it soon.

I like to believe there are ghosts all over the place!

My mum's parents were from Ireland, my dad's mum was American-Irish.

I mean, I think women should be more indulgent of affairs. I really do. It's daft to kick someone out over a fling. Isn't it? Everyone should turn a blind eye to men's behavior between the ages of 40 and 50. Let it all blow over.

I've always wanted to play more comic parts.

I'm a rather crude cook.

I went to America to get away from constantly being cast in costume dramas, playing posh people.

I think I've got a funny face.