You're stuck with being yourself, so the important thing is to find people who like that.
When you see two writers named on a movie, one of them did some drafts and got the boot.
The BBC fulfils a wonderful cultural function. Maybe the problem is that it feels it needs to be everything to everybody.
Taking the humour out of Dickens, it's not Dickens any more.
Plan for each episode to be a satisfying experience, but still leave the audience thinking, 'Oh, my God! Now what?'
People like bonnets. I don't think you can under-estimate that.
People in the BBC are always dying to get out of their open-plan offices.
Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.
My wife likes history and documentaries, but I'm not so keen on them. I generally go and do some work if there's one of those on.
Look at Jane Austen. Her characters derive in a reasonably straight line from fairy tales.
I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.
I would love it if anyone gave me the job of adapting 'The Great Gatsby,' but nobody ever does.
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.
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.
Be careful about the advice you give, especially to your children.
