The actor and director on fearing abduction, fantasising about ‘the good life’, and the bad habit she can’t shake

Born in Hong Kong, Romola Garai, 42, joined the National Youth Theatre in her teens. In 2012, she was Bafta-nominated for the BBC adaptation of The Crimson Petal and the White, and her other TV work includes The Hour and Vigil. She wrote and directed the 2020 film Amulet, and her movie acting credits include I Capture the Castle, Atonement, Scoop, and The Critic, which is in cinemas now. She recently appeared in The Years at the Almeida theatre in London. She has two children with her husband, the actor Sam Hoare, and lives in London.

What is your greatest fear?
Those abduction situations where you’re packed in a bunker for 30 years.