Born in Hong Kong, Romola Garai, 42, joined the National Youth Theatre in her teens. In 2012, she was Bafta-nominated for the BBC adaptation of The Crimson Petal and the White, and her other TV work includes The Hour and Vigil. She wrote and directed the 2020 film Amulet, and her movie acting credits include I Capture the Castle, Atonement, Scoop, and The Critic, which is in cinemas now. She recently appeared in The Years at the Almeida theatre in London. She has two children with her husband, the actor Sam Hoare, and lives in London.
What is your greatest fear?
Those abduction situations where you’re packed in a bunker for 30 years.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Anybody who works in frontline mental health services for the NHS.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I can’t deal with any level of stress.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Cruelty.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I have a deep-rooted fear of being in trouble. I once tried to sneak into the back of a photography exhibition with my husband when one of our kids was in a pushchair. We’d arrived late and he suggested we go in through the gift shop and see the last room. As we poked our heads round the door, the security guard noticed us. I shouted, “That man’s trying to get in!”, then ran away.
Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
My short film, Scrubber, in 2011. At that time in my life it seemed easier to pay for it myself than to apply for funds.
Describe yourself in three words
Confident, stressed, greedy.
What would your superpower be?
To get rid of my insomnia.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I have acne.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Amy Schumer.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Smoking. No one is smoking any more – I’m the last one.
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
I’ve never read any Proust.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A horse.
Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Anonymity – fame’s a bore.
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What was the last lie that you told?
I told someone I’d stopped smoking.
What was the best kiss of your life?
My first kiss with my husband.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“It’ll be fine”, usually because it’s not going to be fine.
What is the worst job you’ve done?
I’ve done some acting jobs where everybody’s gone out of their way to make sure that you feel annoying and easily replaceable.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I’d probably take out a lot of my 20s, when I was rude, annoying and a brat.
If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
I fantasise about “the good life”. I look at YouTube videos of people living in the country, connected to nature, which I would be horrendous at because I’m physically very lazy.
What would you like to leave your children?
A sense of optimism.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Can I have sleep?