Kathryn Geertsema asks:
The first role I saw you in was Vesper in Casino Royale – by far my favourite Bond girl. What was it like having to carry a mantle like that, and at a relatively young age? What have been your most thrilling roles?
Guardian contributor
I actually didn't want the role, originally, but once I saw a final script I was utterly convinced and was so grateful they still wanted me. So I was more worried about proving myself to the producers, and showing a bit of contrition, than I was about the idea of how big a deal it is to be in a Bond film, especially someone's first outing as 007 as it was for Daniel Craig. Although once we did the first press junket, me and Dan and Mads Mikkelsen, and Bond fever took over... yeah. It was a bit terrifying, but exciting.
I've had many thrilling roles - Hedda, obviously, Amazing Amy, Stella in Streetcar. I'm a lucky girl.
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Dinenuto asks:
Do you have a favourite in terms of stage acting or acting on films or TV? I assume it is quite different, but do you find one type of acting more challenging than the other?
Guardian contributor
I couldn't have one without the others, and I'm blessed that I have the flexibility to mix and match. You're right, they're really different, and they pose different challenges, and produce different types of exhaustion. I'm loving having a live audience every night right now, but I'm excited at the prospect of being in front of a camera again.
southboroughelaine asks:
Can I ask about playing Desdemona? The full audio of the production is on YouTube, and your death scene in particular is extraordinary without even seeing it. Where did that energy come from? Amazing.
Guardian contributor
At that point in the play it's sort of primal, and I remember the first few times we did it I'd have this instinct to tense up and not go there, because you've got that survival instinct, you know? You don't want to get that desperate, your body doesn't want it to happen, it goes into fight or flight, and I had to learn to stay the course. And that was as much Chiwetel Ejiofor as it was me, he and I obviously already knew each other from doing Love Actually and he's an exceptional actor. I just had to trust him and vice versa.
cantthinkofagoodname asks:
Are you going to be in the new season of House of Cards?
Guardian contributor
I would love to be on Bear Grylls' show!
lordbelgrade asks:
What are you currently watching on television, and what active show would you want to be on?
Guardian contributor
I'm crying my eyes out weekly at the final season of Black Sails, and I'm thrilled to bits that The Americans is about to kick back up. I also love Homeland. I'm sure this isn't what you were asking, but I'd love to do Running Wild with Bear Grylls, I think I'd make a halfway decent survivalist.
Liam Quane asks:
What was it like working with Kenneth Branagh?
Guardian contributor
Magnificent and all too brief. I'd love to work with him again, he's brilliant.
geneer asks:
Will we see you on Broadway again?
Guardian contributor
I would love to, but there's no plans at the moment. Right project, right people, right timing, etc.
The night she'll never forget
BoldOmi asks:
I saw Hedda a few weeks back and was deeply impressed by your performance. Sadly, someone in the second row fainted five minutes before the end and the performance was suspended, with you dripping in tomato juice. How on earth do you deal with that as an actor and maintain your focus?
Guardian contributor
With difficulty! You do your best. At first we weren't sure what was happening, someone called for a doctor and the house lights went up, so we all sort of froze and just tried to keep with it mentally, and stay in the moment. It's the most dramatic moment in the play and I was on all fours, covered in tomato juice, so ideally we'd just un-freeze and keep on. But no luck, we had to get up and off the stage and came back out and finished the play when the poor woman had recovered. Nothing like that's ever happened to me before, but the audience was so generous and supportive, which helped. I think it'll be a night that no-one will forget.
Lloyd Augustus Mike asks:
The first times I saw you on film was when you acted alongside Judi Dench in Mrs Henderson Presents. Your on-screen presence was amazing, the film really touched me and you helped my understanding of how the war affected ordinary people in London. What has been your most difficult role, and was it also your most rewarding experience, or one you would choose not to repeat?
Guardian contributor
This was actually one of the most rewarding experiences I've done, because I got to work with Judi and with Bob Hoskins, may he rest in peace, and learn from them firsthand. I treasure that experience, I'm glad you've seen it and brought it up! I probably wouldn't repeat Lucille, that took a lot of out of me on all levels and I'm not sure I have it in me to do it again. Although to the contrary, Amy was incredibly difficult but also lots of fun in such a twisted way, so I think I'd enjoy having at her again.
I start with what I'm given – the script, notes from the director or writer, things other characters say about mine or notes in the stage directions. Sometimes you get a full bio, like Guillermo del Toro did for Lucille. But then I take off on my own research, and I read a lot; material that influenced the writer, as well as time periods or art that's referenced, and as much information as I can find about a location, time period, etc. so I have a full education in what would be influencing my character and so I understand the world she lives in.