Born in County Dublin, Niamh Cusack, 61, studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went on to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her television work includes Heartbeat, The Virtues, and Death in Paradise. She has starred on stage in My Brilliant Friend, and next month appears in The Seven Pomegranate Seeds at the Rose theatre in Kingston upon Thames. She is married with a son and lives in London. When were you happiest? When my son was born. Actually, probably a month after, when I got over the enormous responsibility of being a mum. What is your greatest fear? I’m a real coward about flying. I write loving texts to my nearest and dearest just in case … What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I’m a bit of a pleaser. What are the traits you most deplore in others? Lack of compassion and arrogance. What was your most embarrassing moment? Being caught having an emergency pee in the Cotswolds by two unsuspecting walkers. Describe yourself in three words Nearly good enough. What do you most dislike about your appearance? When I was young, I hated my nose and my bum. I’ve got used to them now. Who would play you in the film of your life? Anne-Marie Duff. What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you? Rex Harrison told me I had absolutely no comic timing. Who is your celebrity crush? Michelle Obama is pretty cool. What is your most unappealing habit? Finishing other people’s sentences. Which book are you ashamed not to have read? Ulysses (I’ve only read the good bits). What did you want to be when you were growing up? A saint. Then a ballerina. Would you choose fame or anonymity? Anonymity. But then I’m an actress. What was the last lie that you told? Oh, I never lie. (There you go!) What does love feel like? A longed-for, familiar shore at sunset. Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it? No, but I have changed my mind afterwards. Which living person do you most despise, and why? Priti Patel. She lacks empathy. What has been your biggest disappointment? Never making it into a Sondheim musical. If you could edit your past, what would you change? I would have gone to my singing lessons at Guildhall. What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Better hearing. What keeps you awake at night? The world we are bequeathing to our children and our children’s children, both climatically and politically. Would you rather have more sex, money or fame? None of the above. I’m fine with what I’ve got. How would you like to be remembered? As good enough. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Things change. What happens when we die? I don’t know, but I am quite happy returning to the universe.