Gillian Anderson: I missed out on seeing The Crucible at the Old Vic because of Streetcar

The actress gives her top cultural picks on film, books, music and exhibitions

Gillian Anderson arrives at the 2014 Baftas (Getty Images)

Film

I saw A Most Wanted Man, which I liked very much on many levels. Since being introduced to Eleanor Wachtel and her interviews with John le Carré, I have fallen in love with him. That, and the fact that I've loved Philip Seymour Hoffman for decades and have seen pretty much every film he made. It was such a pleasure to see him delivering yet another outstanding performance. A massive loss to us all.

Theatre

I've been doing a play at the Young Vic, which has taken me out of seeing any - always a downside because one misses great things such as Medea and The Crucible. But I already have tickets for Electra and The Cherry Orchard, which is the next play up at the Young Vic.

Books

I am reading The Goldfinch and 200 pages in can already say it's one of my very favourites ever.

Music

I'm listening to London Grammar, The Middle East, War on Drugs, First Aid Kit, My Morning Jacket, Paolo Nutini, Anouar Brahem, Kodaline, Nicola Benedetti, and always Radiohead and Bon Iver.

Exhibitions

Going to museums is something my daughter and I have done since she was little. She just turned 20. We go to the Wellcome Collection whenever there is a new exhibit. We saw The Human Factor at the Hayward, which I found powerfully disturbing. And Disobedient Objects at the V&A is not to be missed.

A Vision of Fire by Gillian Anderson (Simon & Schuster) is out now in hardback.