I can't be described as a sex symbol; I think it's ridiculous.
Regardless of how dark and heavy the character is the actor has to approach it with that frame of mind.
I find it peculiar when people scoff at one bold idea, and yet they'll then turn over and watch a man travel through time in a police phone box.
I think you'll find a lot of actors will be interested in history because it sparks your imagination so much. When you enter a period of history, your imagination just goes wild in creating the world, which is really what acting is.
I've always been a history buff. It was one of the few subjects at school that really, really caught me.
It's always a treat to have something that lets me explore a different period. I do try to be a stickler, as much as I can, but luckily the writers are, as well.
It's great to have actors who are often cast against type.