The 5-minute Interview: Michelle Ryan, Actress

'I'm trying to stop over-analysing and live more in the moment'

Michelle Ryan, 24, is better known in Britain as the'Eastenders' character Zoe Slater. Since her departure from the BBC soap, she has achieved international fame starring in the US series 'The Bionic Woman', which will be available on DVD from 12 May.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

On my way to meet the director of my new job for a coffee. I've just finished working on Mr Eleven for ITV2. It's a cross between Bridget Jones and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. My character is Saz, a school teacher obsessed with marrying her eleventh sexual partner.

A phrase I use far too often...

"Actually I've been thinking...."

I wish people would take more notice of...

Global warming. If we're not careful in 50 years time we'll be in a lot more trouble. It's something we all really need to be aware of.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

I was in LA last year doing a conference for Bionic Woman and somebody shouted out "Zoe." It doesn't matter where I go or what I do, I'm always going to be associated with Eastenders!

A common misperception of me is....

That I'm really tall but I'm actually 5ft 7in. Having been on Eastenders I was always one of the tallest, and I guess playing a role like Jamie on Bionic Woman, who is also big and physical, makes people think that but I'm about average.

I am not a politician but...

I think there needs to be more things for young children to get involved in, like drama classes or singing groups. If workshops were rolled out they could really help young adults with problems.

I'm good at...

Leading. I'm a good team leader, I'm a team player and want everyone to feel comfortable and at the same time work hard and keep focused.

I'm very bad at...

Over-analysing – it's something I'm learning to do less of and live more in the moment.

The ideal night out is ...

A meal with the girls at Hakkasan in London. The duck spring rolls and the lychee martinis are delicious.

In moments of weakness I...

Eat cheesecake or chocolate.

You know me as an actress but in another life I'd have been ...

A zoologist. Or something that definitely involves travel and animals. I really would love to go jungle trekking in Peru.

The best age to be is...

24. It feels really good. I feel like I'm more accepting of myself and I have a greater sense of what I want and who I am.

My philosophy is:

Live in the moment.

Photini Philippidou