Top 33 Ruth Wilson Quotes

I didn’t know anyone in my family who acted; no one in my immediate family did any acting.

There’s such a huge link with fashion, with front covers of magazines and selling products, but that’s not what you go into the job for, and yet you’re persuaded that’s what you have to do to create the opportunities for yourself.

There are lots of moments that are great for an actress.

I come from the south, so you’re useless, and you’re a bit pathetic. That’s the first thing that the northerners think of you. You’re also from the city, so you are used to having your cappuccinos and your luxuries and getting your chicken from a plastic packet.

I remember being about 14 when I started wearing shorts and heels. I hated the attention I got. I found it overwhelming.

I’d quite like to do a film but I’d also love to do more theatre. I want to keep challenging myself with good roles. It’s harder for women because there aren’t as many challenging roles.

Cleaning isn’t all that interesting to me. I’m disorganized.

I remembered a mantra that one of my teachers used to tell me at drama school, that every thought will pass across your face. Even if you’re thinking about Shreddies the camera will read it.

It’s the preparation that’s my favourite part of the process.

I haven’t got one or two people that I aspired to be like.

I’m crap at pretending to be something I’m not when I’m in my real life.

The only ultimate power you have as a human being is over your choice to live or die. Everything else is chaos. If you try and think you have control over some of your life, essentially, that’s the only real control you have, is whether you decide to exist.

I’m a tragedienne in some way. I think quite epically. I like epic landscapes and grand emotions.

What really excites me is the unknown, and getting to grips with something you have no idea about.

My remit has always been: I want to do something different from the last thing I’ve done.

I studied history at university, so I’m always quite fascinated by the Second World War and France. That’s one of my interests.

People know my characters like Alice Morgan in ‘Luther’ or Alison Bailey from ‘The Affair.’ For me, that’s a compliment, a kind of joy.

I’m drawn to damaged, complicated characters.

I always vaguely knew I wanted to perform, but I haven’t got the greatest singing voice and my dancing isn’t up to scratch. Acting was really the only alternative. My parents have been really supportive throughout.

I do get recognised, but if I’m in a restaurant, I’ll get one person noticing me, not the whole place. It is uncomfortable when people try and sneak a picture; sometimes, I don’t feel like being seen. But I don’t stop myself doing stuff. I go to Barry’s Bootcamp and yoga just like anyone else.

There’s always been a religious strain in me. I can’t get rid of it. I don’t want to get rid of it. I’m not involved in a church, but I understand that impulse to believe in something that’s never going to betray you.

I tend to make bolder and more interesting choices after I’ve done theatre.

People don’t know what goes on in my private life, so they have to make conjecture from something that is photographed.

For me, there is a stigma attached to playing beautiful parts. They are often empty characters whom the action happens around. I’m more drawn to characters with a complex internal life, who have a burning frustration underneath that keeps them going.

I love meeting people and analysing their world. I like having a puzzle to solve. That’s why I do so much work in advance. Even if it doesn’t affect my performance in the end, I just find it so much more interesting if I’ve got as wide as possible an understanding of the material.

Every actor turns everything round to their character.

I think I’m a bit of a loner, and actually quite enjoy alone time; friends become people you want to actually spend time with rather than people who are just in your life. I think it’s a nice place to be.

I love complex characters – strong females who are vulnerable but have a life and soul. That’s what I’m drawn to and what I enjoy most.

I’ve always been quite shy. Very confident but very shy.

My parents are desperate, they keep saying: ‘Please stop doing these angsty roles; make it easier for us.’ So, yeah, I’d love to do some comedy.

There are a lot more roles for men than there are for women. So men get their fee up by sheer quantity of material.

I don’t know about writing. It’s quite lonely. You have to have a lot of patience with yourself. I don’t know if I could do that. But I’d love to direct again.

Judgment comes from you comparing yourself to other people, and expectations of what you think life should be.