Biografia

He was considered for the role of Caledon "Cal" Hockley in James Cameron's Titanic (1997) but was deemed too young.

He was considered for the role of Arthur Dent in Guida galattica per autostoppisti (2005) but the producers decided he was too good-looking for the role. Martin Freeman was cast instead.

His maternal grandmother was the famed English socialite, the Hon. Lady Penelope Aitken (1910-2005).

His maternal great-grandfather was John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby (1877-1969), a prominent British diplomat and the British ambassador to Ireland during World War II.

His great-great-uncle was the British politician and writer, Sir William Maxwell "Max" Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (1879-1964).

[describing his role in Il talento di Mr. Ripley (1999)] "The chap in the duffle coat jumping up and down in the background!"

During my childhood, I was surrounded by actors and all I remember is they were fun to be around. That kind of sticks.

People tell me that Hollywood loves new faces, but I don't know. They're probably just being nice.

[About how his This Life (1996) character, "Miles Stewart", was received by the public] A lot of drunken women came up to me in pubs telling me I was a bastard. To begin with, I tried to explain that the show wasn't real, but then I found a better tactic was to look them in the eye and say "Yeah, you know what? I am".

I try not to see acting as anything other than a job. I hate it when I say to people I'm unemployed, and they say "you mean you're resting?" I'm like "No, unemployed", because I am. That's what acting's about - making a living.