The Five Minute Interview: Freema Agyeman, actress

Freema Agyeman, 29, became a household name when in 2007 she took on the role of Martha Jones in Doctor Who. She currently stars in Law & Order: UK, Monday night’s at 9pm on ITV1 until 6th April.

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

Well I’d usually be working but I have the day off today so I thought I’d do some press stuff.

A phrase I use far too often...

I say ‘I won’t be a minute’ quite a lot but then it always takes me ten. I swing between procrastination and being really thorough so either way things aren’t getting done quickly.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Other people. When you watch the news it can be pretty difficult to feel optimistic but if we just took a step back and treated each other with a little more respect I think that’d be a big help. Society is getting blinkered at home and abroad and we all need to take stock at some point.

A common misperception of me is...

That I’m a lot taller. I’m only 5’2 but people seem to think I’ll be bigger than I actually am. I have no problem with that. Being short works for me.

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

When I got my fortune told and saw it all come true. Some it was quite private stuff and the accuracy was totally shocking. I had it told again quite recently so I’m quite excited but what the future may hold.

I'm good at...

I always struggle with this question. Perhaps I should take up a hobby to make it easier to answer? I’m always working so I rarely have time for other things but I guess I’m a pretty good dancer. I danced for pleasure but sadly I’ve had to stop due to being so busy at work.

But I'm very bad at...

Not waffling. It takes me a while to get to the point.

The ideal night out is...

Well my boyfriend is such a good cook that I quite enjoy staying in for a meal with him but if I had to go out it would be for karaoke at Lucky Voice in Soho.

In moments of weakness I...

Just have a good, screaming, cry.

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

A vet. I had to take my cat recently and seeing the care and attention he received was really inspiring.

The best age to be is...

30 because I’m biased and trying to stay positive.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is…

“We make a living out of what we get, we make our lives out of what we give”. I’d love to be to credit someone with that sadly I have no idea where I heard it.