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When I was young, I was interested in Renaissance art.

I always wanted to be a renaissance woman, do as many things as I possibly can and hopefully do them well or don't do them at all.

Put yourself in the position of an up-and-coming artist living in early-sixteenth-century Italy. Now imagine trying to distinguish yourself from the other artists living in your town: Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, or Titian. Is it any wonder that the Italian High Renaissance lasted only 30 years?

A really interesting and happy time was when I first went to Florence as a student and studied Italian. I was living in a pensione on an allowance of £40 a month, which was princely. I did a lot of work and enjoyed myself immensely.

I want to be a Renaissance woman. I want to paint, and I want to write, and I want to act, and I want to just do everything.

I have a degree in European history, which didn't necessarily have any direct impact on my career, but I'm grateful I studied something other than acting in college.

Remember, I have a Ph.D. in English literature.

I only know about a few things, but I am quite good at bluffing. There are a whole range of subjects, including the Renaissance, which I am prepared to sound expert on.

I studied at the Piccolo Teatro di Milano; I was a theatre actor.

But it has been a long process because I'm kind of a renaissance person.