IN HER OWN WORDS: Kelly Reilly

One of the stars of Britannia (9pm, Sky Atlantic), the British actress, 40, has found critical acclaim on both stage and screen. Here’s what she’s had to say about her career so far…

On her screen debut, aged 17, alongside Helen Mirren in 1995’s Prime Suspect 4:

‘The pressure was on, and I might not have got through it if it hadn’t been for Helen. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly, but she was incredibly supportive, with a great sense of humour.’

On how she chooses roles: ‘A part has to fulfil me, otherwise I’d rather not do it – I’d rather be at home.

I love everything about domesticity, I crave it, so if I’m going to leave that place, it has to be because

I’m really excited about the work.’

On the artists who inspire her:

‘I love actresses who are brave and don’t do what’s expected of them or don’t play off how they look. I love strong women in films who are allowed to play women and not male fantasies. They have a general intelligence, and are sort of unapologetic.’ On what success means to her: ‘Being at the pinnacle of my career is not to turn up in some multiplex blockbuster. This career ladder thing is such an illusion. What’s at the top? Twenty million dollars a movie and paparazzi in the hedge?’

On how she deals with stage fright:

‘When you’re scared, that is where you can do the real work, and that’s what interests me as an actor. I heard Judi Dench say that she – even she! – gets terrified before every performance, and that gave me heart.’