‘Relationships are a compromise’

Actress Emilia Fox, 34, stars as Dr Nikki Alexander in the forensic BBC crime drama Silent Witness. The daughter of actors Edward Fox and Joanna David, she is married to Jared Harris, son of Richard Harris, and the couple live between Emilia’s home in London and Jared’s home in LA.

The actress opens up about her life and family

Would you rather be rich and famous or poor and anonymous?

I’d rather live happily.

Happiness doesn’t necessarily come with either of those. And when it comes to fame, I understand people’s interest in knowing more about well-known actors, but it’s an illusion that we live differently to anyone else. It’s important to me that I keep my public and private lives separate.

I didn’t have any ambitions to act. When I was four, we had to choose a musical instrument to play at school and I chose the cello. I played until I was 18 and although I found it nerve-racking to play solo, I loved playing in an orchestra. When I left school I didn’t carry on with it, which I regret.

Shopaholic or shop shy?

On my own or with a friend I’m a shopaholic, and I particularly love the cleaning aisle in the supermarket. But when I’m with my husband I’m shop shy because he can’t bear it. It always ends up with us making a huge scene on the High Street and then going off in a huff in separate directions.

Are you an open book when it comes to emotions?

I think I am. I’ve always believed in trying to be as open as possible. I think it almost comes with the job, if you can bare your emotions, it makes for better acting.

Do you have enough time for yourself?

I’m not crazy about having lots of time to myself.

Whenever I come back from filming away I immediately want to go and see my friends and my family and reestablish my life. I can fill time when I’m alone, but I love being around other people.

What are your views on marriage?

My father and mother didn’t get married until four years ago, but I wasn’t really aware of marriage being an issue in their lives. Thinking back on it, I respect that they chose to be together without being married as a formal tie. I think there’s something rather romantic about getting hitched when you have already been together for a long time, but when Jared proposed to me it felt like the right thing to do.

Early bird or a night owl?

Definitely an early bird, filming always starts early.

In my university days I would wake up really early to try to get essays finished, and when I was filming Silent Witness in South Africa I was up at 4am, which is worth it to see the sunrise. I like that feeling when everyone else is still asleep and you’re up getting stuff done.

What one thing would improve your quality of life?

Having children. One of the actors I work with on Silent Witness talked about getting home and seeing the faces of his children and that’s a lovely image of what life should be about.

We haven’t planned any children yet. We have to decide on which side of the ocean we’re going to live first. Others are laughter, kindness, understanding, and a good cook, because I’m so hopeless.

And someone who allows you to be yourself. I realise relationships are a compromise in all sorts of ways, but I don’t think you should compromise who you are. I did in most of my previous relationships.

What’s your greatest fear?

Spiders, which I think comes from my mum, who is also frightened of them. I can’t even bear to see them on TV.

Are you more like your mother or your father?

You can only really judge from what other people say. I think I look like a mix of the two. I’m more like mum in that we both like to keep busy, but mum is more gregarious than I am. I share a similar sense of humour with my dad.