Laura Carmichael quotes:

There's something about wearing clothes that your great-grandmother might have thought were nice that makes you look older.

I've been really lucky because I've managed to become wonderful friends with a handful of very talented British designers. Christopher Kane has become one of my very good friends - also Erdem. Jonathan Saunders is another brilliant talent who's very kind. We all hang out.

I have such a huge girl crush on Beyonce.

I did all sorts of jobs after drama school - working in a bar, as a teaching assistant. I probably learned as much from them as I did at drama school.

I have two sisters, and we are the best of friends.

My history teacher was utterly terrifying, but her lessons were very inspiring. She got me interested in people and stories, which then led me to acting.

I grew up listening in awe to stories of their wartime adventures. My granny, Joan, was a journalist and wrote amazing letters to my grandpa when he was a prisoner of war, while my nana, Mary, was a Land Girl, then a Wren. They were so independent, resilient and glamorous.

Playing a plainer role means everything is dependent on the credentials of the actor, not the fact that they are as pretty as Julia Roberts. People start to look at their talent rather than their appearance. And playing the ugly part often means less time in the make-up chair, which is a great benefit on set.

No one goes through life thinking that they're the best friend of the lead character.

When I'm in a tricky situation I often think: 'What would Beyonce do?' It helps.

We all have hierarchies at work - even on set, the runner would never walk up to the director and ask for a cup of coffee.

You have to have sympathy for and an empathy with a character in order to play them.

I'm from Southampton.

I cry at films and TV and even adverts.

I certainly never saw myself as posh.

I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play. But I do love British film as well.

It's beneficial to play against your type; to be chameleon-like.

I think it must be so hard to start your career with everyone going on about how gorgeous you are. To be in that bracket must be so pressurised.

If I'm tweeting about being somewhere, and I haven't replied to somebody's email from three days ago, that's quite rude.

The Twenties have this sort of attitude where you never know whats around the corner.

When I emerge from filming I feel slightly out of synch with real life, but it's also a relief.

I've not sat with my agent going: 'Where is the next hopeless girl I can play?' They just come along.

As actors, you play people who are not yourselves!

Being at home is a job in itself and raising a family for sure.

I don't really get recognised very much.

Id love to work in the States; Id love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play. But I do love British film as well.

I'm not recognised much at all.

In the U.K., there is a sort of obsession with class.

No one goes through life thinking that theyre the best friend of the lead character.