“During a totally lively, modern conversation, you can see right through her skin to almost every period back through time. Her skin is very thin, translucent, and you become aware of those strange medieval eyes, eyes of the palest blue, watery, liquid, limpid. Her skeleton actually represents English history. I do think of everything about those Elizabethan miniatures of Hilliard when I look at her.” — Robin Phillips, Michael Coveney. “Maggie Smith: A Bright Particular Star.”