You may, or may not, be surprised to discover that Christina Hendricks, who plays secretary Joan Harris on Mad Men, isn't a natural red head.

In fact, the blonde (yes, she's really a blonde), began dying her hair when she was just ten years old.

Speaking to April's edition of Redbook, she said: "Redheads always intrigued me, especially Anne of Green Gables, and my mom said, "Let's just throw a rinse on that!" Little did she know she opened up a can of worms. I still love my hair as red as I can get it!"

The star also went on to say that she uses scent to get into character. "Fresh Cannabis Rose helps me get into [character as] Joan, so I spray it on before I go to work."

In the interview with the US magazine, the 41-year-old also said she doesn't take showers, only baths, as she finds the thought of spraying water on her body too aggressive in the morning.

On her rather traditional method of bathing, she said: "If I have to be at work at 5 a.m., I'll wake up at 4:30 a.m. because I know it takes six minutes to fill the tub and I'll be in it for five. No bath salts, no bubbles, no mucking about. Just get in, get clean, and get out."

Mad Men's seventh series will be aired in two sets of seven episodes. The first will air starting on April 13 in the US but the second set won't be seen until 2015.

(Images: Rex Features)