How do you unwind at the weekend?
I'm in Paris at the moment looking after my grandmother as my parents (actors Ciaran Hinds and Hélène Patarot) are away. I came over from London, where I'm based when working, for the Christmas holidays and things got so mad, I stayed. I remember while making Normal People we had a couple of great nights out in Dublin. If there's an early start, though, the days tend to blur. If things are normal, I'd go out for a meal with friends as I am a big, big foodie and love trying new restaurants.
What do you recall most about weekends growing up?
I lived in London until I was 10. On Saturday mornings I'd go to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama for my violin and piano lessons and think 'Oh dear...' Then we moved to France and the weekends would all be about hanging out with friends in parks. We often went to the Luxembourg Gardens as my school was round the corner. If Dad was on set, I'd quite often visit him. I remember going to see him on the set of Tomb Raider. We came home with the make-up artist who gave me a black eye so we could play a practical joke on my mum. When I was very young, I kind of wanted to be an actor, because I'd seen mum touring and thought it was exciting. It seemed different from the nine-to-five. I'd also go to see my father in a play and saw him in The Seafarer in New York. The actor's life appeals as I like things changing.
Friday night or Saturday night?
I want to say both, but maybe Friday as it comes before Saturday.
Do you have a must-listen weekend radio show?
No, there isn't really anything specific that I listen to.
Must-watch weekend TV show/box set?
I've started watching a French TV series adapted from an Australian TV show, En Therapie. It isn't a barrel of laughs but is quite good and you follow patients in treatment after the November 13 attack in Paris. At the end of last year I was really into Strictly [Come Dancing] which I'd never watched and liked Bill Bailey. It was a lot of fun.
Favourite eatery – or is it a takeaway?
I like to go out but at the moment takeaways are the way to go. Anything with noodles, really. I love my mum's Vietnamese cuisine, it's comforting. And if you're a bit hungover, the Vietnamese noodle soup works.
Is Sunday still special?
I quite like Sunday as a day to try and not do anything. You can relax, maybe go to the cinema or a flea market if they're running.
How do you feel about Sunday night about Monday morning?
I quite like the idea, thinking 'You can start this week well'.
Aoife Hinds appears in the upcoming Channel 5 drama Anne Boleyn.
