Matthew Macfadyen quotes

Matthew Macfadyen is an English actor recognized for his work in film, television, and theatre. International audiences know him for roles in projects such as "Pride & Prejudice," "Succession," and "Ripper Street." He is acclaimed for his versatility and subtle character portrayals. Here are 29 of his quotes:

I can't throw books away. My wife is always telling me to get rid of some.

Matthew Macfadyen

I was quite a shy child. I would get terribly nervous and throw up before my birthday party. And then I would be fine. I feel the same now. I get nervous, then it's fine.

Matthew Macfadyen

Nobody's really unsympathetic, I think. People do good and bad things. If a character's totally unsympathetic, they're not real and I'm not interested. Even the real monsters have to have a spark of something you can relate to.

Matthew Macfadyen

The security comes, as an actor, in knowing that you're not in control. If you try to control your career, or how people perceive you, you'll make yourself unhappy, because life doesn't work like that. So much is luck. It's much better to let yourself off, to think, 'There's nothing I can do.'

Matthew Macfadyen

It must be odd, being recognisable. I would hate to lose that anonymity. It happened for a while with 'Spooks.' No one notices me now.

Matthew Macfadyen

It's a real skill to be able to publicise yourself.

Matthew Macfadyen

I love TV and I love making films and I love doing plays. I feel very lucky to be able to do all three.

Matthew Macfadyen

As much as I long for a sort of security and consistency sometimes, I do enjoy sort of being busted around. I really don't know what's happening sometimes next week, let alone this year.

Matthew Macfadyen

You never know how films are going to do and it is daunting if I think about it.

Matthew Macfadyen

I think people ought to do what they feel useful at the time. If I do things because I ought to do them, I switch off.

Matthew Macfadyen

I'd auditioned for the National Youth Theatre and I didn't get a place and it was terrifying.

Matthew Macfadyen

People like to think that actors are terribly worried about ghosts of other actors in the parts they play. But you just have to get on with it.

Matthew Macfadyen

The actor in me would always like to be more dashing, or slimmer, or have nicer hair.

Matthew Macfadyen

I've worried more and more as the years have gone on. The more you're seen to be doing well, the more stress there is. You feel you ought to consider things more, and be more fussy - there's further to fall. All these little worries.

Matthew Macfadyen

It must be odd, being recognizable. I would hate to lose that anonymity.

Matthew Macfadyen

I just loved the whole idea of being an actor.

Matthew Macfadyen

I don't feel like a romantic lead; I guess I feel more like a character actor.

Matthew Macfadyen

I wouldn't want to leave it so long before doing a play again, I get very stolid and sluggish if I do too much telly.

Matthew Macfadyen

Nobody's just arrogant. I've met people who are embattled and dismissive, but when you get to know them, you find that they're vulnerable - that that hauteur or standoffishiness is because they're pedaling furiously underneath.

Matthew Macfadyen

There's always a concern as an actor that you'll be boring unless your character is swinging from a chandelier.

Matthew Macfadyen

I think it sits quite happily with me, the condition of being an actor. I see some people getting quite eaten up with it, with the insecurities. There are times when I long for continuity and stability, but I also love the idea of not knowing what I'll be doing next - or even if I'm going to work.

Matthew Macfadyen

Some British actors are snobby about telly, and I don't understand that.

Matthew Macfadyen