The best advice I’ve ever been given is also the worst: be likeable. Someone once said that to me - they were telling me that being charming is where it’s at. I’ve tried to do the opposite of that ever since.

I don’t think about what I would have done if I wasn’t an actor. I was unemployed in Coventry for two years before going to drama school in the early 80s; there was a lot of unemployment around then. I am genuinely scared when I think what would have happened if it hadn’t worked out.

Being able to get tickets for bands and football matches is the best thing about fame. Getting a seat at restaurants you want to eat at too. They’re the advantages. The disadvantage is you get clocked everywhere you go.

I’m proud of a few films I’ve done. If I had to pick two from a hat, I’d say Closer and Children of Men. I was very attached to Closer; I did the original play so the writing meant a lot to me and to go on to do the film with that cast [Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Jude Law] and Mike Nichols [The Graduate] was a real privilege.

People still talk to me about Children of Men now. If you look at the themes that film is discussing, it’s really just an opportunity to talk about what is going on now. It's a serious film and Alfonso Cuarón is a visionary director.

The most surreal moment of my professional life? It’s a visual which I shouldn’t really show people [Owen gets his iPhone out and shows a selfie with Barack Obama that the former president himself requested]. It happened a few months ago. He’s a big fan of a TV series I did called The Knick. It was great.

I’m a big sports fans. Mainly football and tennis. Watching sport at home is what I do to relax.

There’s one film I wish I’d been in. I could never tell which one though because someone else ended up doing the part and it’s still very… close. It involved [The Truman Show writer] Andrew Niccol.

David Bowie was a huge influence on my life. If I had to pick one favourite album, it would be Hunky Dory because that was the first one I came across. That’s the only reason I choose it. I ended up loving everything he ever did.

There are two directors I haven’t worked with who I would in an instant: Paul Thomas Anderson and Jacques Audiard.

I’ve always felt that the best age to be is whatever age you are. It’s funny because life for an actor involves your age so, in terms of work, it’s always developing and changing. There are always new roles as you get older, new opportunities. I think we’re very lucky in that way.

ANON is released in cinemas and on Sky Cinema on 11 May.