Portrait of the artist: Brenda Blethyn, actor

What got you started?

Doing amateur dramatics in my spare time. I was working as a secretary, and I didn't take theatre seriously at first. But then people started to say I could be a professional. I applied to drama school and, lo and behold, I got in.

What was your big breakthrough?

Working with Mike Leigh. I've worked with him twice – first on a film for the BBC called Grown-ups, and then on Secrets and Lies. It really opened the door for me internationally.

Which other artists do you admire?

Harriet Walter. Not only is she an excellent actor, she's also a linguist and has written many books. When I was working with her on The Imitation Game, my first film for TV, she gave me a great piece of advice. I was wearing a horrible, itchy army costume, and she told me to ask the producers to change it. I said I daren't, and she said, "Brenda, not everyone has to like you." So I did get it changed. And they still liked me.

Does an artist need to suffer to create?

No, not really. I suffer physically – I have to get up early, and I agonise over getting it right. But I'm not a Method actor. I always think of the character in the third person – it's "me" and "her".

Can Britain rival the US for TV drama?

Yes. Britain has a wealth of talent in every department, except financially. If Britain had the same budget as the US, we'd be selling our programmes all over the world, too, and making fortunes.

What's the worst thing anyone ever said about you?

At the Oscars this year, Melissa Leo apparently swore when she was receiving her award [for best supporting actress]. And somebody – I don't know who – said she sounded just like Brenda Blethyn. Well, I would never have sworn like that.

What work of art would you like to own?

There's a painting of a lady in a gossamer-thin lacy frock, standing on some garden steps. Underneath is the motif "Jealousy". My mum had a print of it, so I'd love to own the original – but I've never been able to find it. If anyone knows what it is, please let me know.

What are you most proud of?

That I'm a good person. That I have ethics and morals. That I haven't done anything to let my parents down. And that I've run the marathon three times and finished it. It did take me a long time to get round, mind.

Is there anyone you would like to say sorry to?

Yes – a girl called Christine who was at school with me. We used to giggle, and she always thought we were laughing at her. Well, we were a bit.

CV

Career: Has performed at the National theatre, the Royal Exchange, and on Broadway. TV and film work includes Secrets and Lies, Little Voice, Pride and Prejudice and Vera, a new detective series on ITV1 on Sundays.

High point: "Winning best actress at the Cannes film festival for Secrets and Lies."

Low point: "I felt pretty low just after Little Voice came out, because the reviews weren't that good."