Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.

Be careful about the advice you give, especially to your children.

I was getting rewarded for writing well, from about the age of five or six. A teacher would say, "Look what Andrew has written," and I thought, "Maybe I could be a writer."

People like bonnets. I don't think you can under-estimate that.

I used to have this Mercedes, a dark blue 450SLC, which was the most beautiful car. I'd like to have another unusual, beautiful car.

When you see two writers named on a movie, one of them did some drafts and got the boot.

I prefer love scenes to be shot up close with a lot of focus on eyes and mouths. Otherwise it can feel uncomfortable and voyeuristic.

As a fairly innocent teenager, growing up in a village in Wales, I just thought, "God, I would like to go and hang about Soho and write great poetry and try to avoid drinking myself to death."

I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.

I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches at a university in the provinces.

I remain, however, fairly optimistic for the future of period drama because it's just such a popular thing.

Cullen was a bully. Bullies are cowards. You plant your feet and stay calm, they don't know what to do.

When we were monkeys, we were more human because we were at least not destroying the nature those days!

Everything that informs us of something useful that we didn't already know is a potential signal. If it matters and deserves a response, its potential is actualized.

We all know the personal relationship between Michel Platini and President Blatter. It was like a mentor and protege, or even father and son.

I like to set realistic goals for myself, not outrageous ones.

Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free.

America has had to turn to foreigners to finance its debt - not surprising since household saving in the last years has plummeted to zero. China is one of the largest holders of American debt.

Abusive language and swearing are a legacy of slavery, humiliation, and disrespect for human dignity, one’s own and that of other people.

Youth is thy gift, - the youth that baffles Time.

Sometimes I just know things.