Keira Knightley doesn't like to be safe

Keira Knightley finds the instability of being in plays and independent films ''romantic''.

Keira Knightley finds instability "romantic".

The 26-year-old actress - who is currently appearing in 'The Children's Hour' in London's West End - explained whenever she takes on a new project, she likes to have a "50-50 chance of falling on her face".

She said: "I don't like the safe options. I like things that have a 50-50 chance of me falling on my face. I like the magic when it actually comes together and people enjoy it, but the magic is only there because of the distinct possibility of failure.

"I find that romantic in a funny kind of way."

Despite enjoying the instability that comes alongside appearing in plays and independent films, Keira admitted she has to have a "thick skin" to be an actress.

She added to Flaunt magazine: "I think you do have to try and get a thick skin. And sometimes, the skin goes incredibly thin and everything gets in, and everything hurts, and other times, you're able to turn around and laugh at it and go, 'You know what? It's all fine. It's all good. It's cool.

"It sort of depends on what day of the week it is."