You only have to turn on the telly to see what has happened in the aftermath of Iraq or any of the countries that have been at war over the last few years to see the devastation that people face. In the new series of Foyle's War, London starts to get bombed and the country falls under heavy attack. It affects people's sense of well-being, their sense of the future and their concerns for their family and friends. All those emotions you can still see in the eyes of people who are suffering today. The sad thing is that war goes on.

I enjoy horse riding, tennis, yoga and running - it helps to clear my head and I can do bits of yoga in between filming.

I have just bought myself a wonderful oil painting by Richard Whadcock. It's my present to myself after filming and it's my first proper painting. I'd like to buy one a year because it would be nice to look back and associate a painting with a time in my life.

"It's my first home so I've been buying furniture, painting and putting up shelves and cupboards. It's great to have a place of my own, but I still see my family often as we are very close. My parents are really supportive and come and watch everything I do.