I respect journalism. I was always very aware of journalism from a very broad point of view, but I'd say my baptism by fire was doing the Donald Margulies play Time Stands Still. That for me was a real education because I spent a lot of time with some incredible journalists, war reporters particularly - Bob Woodruff, Dexter Filkins - people who were very helpful in painting the picture for me and reading the accounts of people and what they experienced, a lot of PTSD.
There is an odd sense of responsibility attached to appearing in a drama about a real piece of history. A work of fiction is fun.
The reason I wanted to be an actor is that I don't want to play me for the rest of my life and make money out of that.
I find it incredibly romantic that people should fight for a cause they believe in and be prepared to die for it.
Madonna is the most famous woman on the planet and has been for a number of decades.
I'm more interested in enjoying my life and looking after my family than being hugely successful.
All directors on all sets behave slightly differently depending on what the scene is. For example, if you are doing a love scene, which is intimate then the director is likely to be intimate. If you are doing a scene where everyone is mucking around and laughing then the director is likely to start with that. If you are playing a scene which us incredibly heavy and everyone getting killed then there are probably not many laughs on the set.
I, like many people, had some sort of preconception about Madonna. One of the preconceptions was that she had the extraordinary work ethic, which turned out to be absolutely true.
I know that Madonna is not a first-time filmmaker, but I have worked with a lot of first time filmmakers and I have worked with a lot of inexperienced film directors so that never has particularly worried me - I find it quite exciting - but I have never worked with a director who has had so little experience of directing who was so prepared.
I just love working. I really enjoy the work, whatever it is.
I've played my fair share of unpleasant character, and I have to tell you that you sleep better when you're playing fun characters. You think you don't take it home with you, at the end of the filming day, but subconsciously, there's something floating around in the background there.
I've never done anything comedic. In all the years I've been an actor, I've never delivered one comedic line.
There are lots of people I admire and respect, but I don't necessarily want to be like them. I'm too happy being myself.
It was only when I finished the course and left my graduation diploma on the bus that I realized I'd become an actor.
The good guy only gets the girl in a soppy way.
I'm not really very ambitious.
Your version of the truth is all that matters.
I went further and further back through the centuries to get a sense of perspective but now at least I understand why Irish history evokes such strong passions and emotions.
When I left school I went to Australia for a year and worked in the drama department of a school in Perth.
I'm attracted to seeing how different I can be, pushing the boat out.
I don't have any expectations as an actor and being rich and famous is not my driving force.
Baddies always do get the best lines, that's the honest truth.
It felt good doing a physical job, and going home each evening feeling like I had really done a day's work.
