(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Keira Knightley thinks she will be a better actress because shes allowed herself to live.

The 25-year-old British beauty shot to fame at the start of the decade as the star of soccer comedy Bend It Like Beckham, and she has gone on to star in Pride & Prejudice, Atonement and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Keira decide to take a break from filming after making 2008 period drama The Duchess, as her schedule had been incredibly hectic. In doing so, the star feels shes improved immensely as a thespian.

I needed time to recharge. As an actor, you can only get better if you allow yourself to live. It was important for me to do that, she told Total Film magazine.

The talented actress has a busy agenda for next year, and fans can expect to see a lot more of her on screens again. Keira hopes that her future film choices will surprise critics and fans alike, as shes keen to keep her career fresh and interesting.

Im trying to make more unusual choices now, she added. (C) Cover Media