Top 25 Jessica Brown Findlay Quotes

I trained as a ballet dancer till I was 18, so I would really like to get back to it. I’d love it if there was a part that meant I could do both acting and ballet, as they’re both so close to my heart.

I like to accessorise shirts with a little ribbon tied round my collar or a country style ascot. I’ve also sewed little hearts on some of my sleeves which I’ve done for years because I always wear my heart on my sleeve so if you see a little embroidered heart on my clothes, that’s why!

We filmed ‘Labyrinth’ in South Africa for two and a half months and it was just the most unbelievable experience. Lots of sword fighting, mud in hair and lots of weeping! It’s very different from ‘Downton’ because I was going to work and having mud put in my hair – it’s the other extreme of the look!

I’ve read my grandmother’s memoirs and she served as a nurse during World War II. What they had to do was incredible.

At 17, we all think we know what we’re doing.

I shout at the radio when someone starts talking over the end of a song. Shut up! I don’t want to hear that the DJ has just found a mouldy sandwich in the corner of the studio. Nor do I like it when the magic of something you’re watching is shattered by an advert for Argos.

I don’t know if I’m so righteous.

Before I go on stage, I knock three times. Three is my lucky number; I once went into an audition and was number 333 and got the best part ever.

I remember stealing some pic n’ mix when I was seven; when I got out of the shop, I burst into tears.

On the surface, it’s really easy to dismiss certain characters, but sometimes you find that the most interesting parts are disappointingly shallow. It’s your job as an actress to pull that person apart, and work out why they act the way that they do.

I’m really into strong, female roles – but they don’t have to necessarily be loud – I’m just as interested in introverts too.

You don’t automatically assume everyone will fall for a period drama.

I’m starting to shake it off, I am quite self-conscious, and it’s only when I’m playing roles that I can escape that. The older I get, the more people tell me it’s absolutely fine to be the way you are with all your quirks and nuances, and I wish I’d learnt that younger – I would have relaxed a bit more.

I do so many things. Like when I was younger, if I drove past a house that I didn’t want to live in, I’d hold my breath. Driving around somewhere like Slough I’d go blue in the face.

I am a hopeless romantic.

Ever since I was young, I’ve read Austen and the Brontes. My friends laugh, but those books are always so tragic and wonderful – those stories, they’re just incredible.

My style icons would be people like Brigitte Bardot and old Hollywood actresses who always look so stunning, cool and chic. I like classic and timeless looks.

I’ve been told I make a very good brew.

Unfortunately I had an ankle problem and underwent three operations.

Girls in scripts are often pretty but brainless, or geeky and no one likes them, so it’s great to find richer roles. Chalk and cheese aspects of people are very interesting to play.

I have endless playlists on my iPod so will throw on, say, Bruce Springsteen or The Smiths, depending on what kind of day I’m going to have.

I love when people become obsessed with ‘Downton.’

I don’t mind giving everyone a shock – including myself.

I just really think every job I do, I get this gypsy attitude to money.

I’ve got four piercings in my left, so we’ve dubbed my right one the ‘period drama ear.’ I have to be filmed from that side when I do emotional close-ups in ‘Downton.’