There are lots of people I admire and respect, but I don't necessarily want to be like them. I'm too happy being myself.
James D'arcy
There is an odd sense of responsibility attached to appearing in a drama about a real piece of history. A work of fiction is fun.
I'm more interested in enjoying my life and looking after my family than being hugely successful.
I went further and further back through the centuries to get a sense of perspective but now at least I understand why Irish history evokes such strong passions and emotions.
I'm attracted to seeing how different I can be, pushing the boat out.
It was only when I finished the course and left my graduation diploma on the bus that I realised I'd become an actor.
When I left school I went to Australia for a year and worked in the drama department of a school in Perth.
I talked to everyone about the project: actors and extras, members of the crew and passers by.
Now here I am playing a passionate young Irishman who would die for what he believes in.
I find it incredibly romantic that people should fight for a cause they believe in and be prepared to die for it.
Although this is a fictitious story the history is real. You don't want to re-write history but you certainly want to portray events and characters as realistically as you can.
I don't have any expectations as an actor, and being rich and famous is not my driving force.
I'm not really very ambitious.
Baddies always do get the best lines, that's the honest truth.
The good guy only gets the girl in a soppy way.
It's difficult to gauge that. With a bad guy you just know you're bad. To play a nice guy is harder - unless you are a very nice person like me of course.
It felt good doing a physical job, and going home each evening feeling like I had really done a day's work.
The reason I wanted to be an actor is that I don't want to play me for the rest of my life and make money out of that.
I'm not really very ambitious. I'm more interested in enjoying my life and looking after my family than being hugely successful.
