‘I’m attracted to things that feel different’: Laura Carmichael admits being cast in Downton Abbey was ‘a life-changing moment’ for her, but says she enjoys trying new roles
Laura Carmichael has admitted being cast in Downton Abbey has changed her life but revealed she now enjoys trying out new roles.
The 35-year-old actress, who played the unhappily in love Lady Edith Grantham in the period drama, said she is now “attracted to things that feel different” after starring in BBC modern thriller The Secrets She Keeps “ played along.
Laura left her comfort zone to take on a new role in the Australian drama in 2020, with the actress returning for a second series, which was released in July.
Career: Laura Carmichael has admitted being cast in ‘Downton Abbey’ has changed her life but revealed she enjoys trying out new roles
The star told Radio Times: “It’s been such a gift to be in Downton. It has opened so many doors. If another historical drama came to my desk…if I loved the script, I wouldn’t be too nervous about entering that world. But right now I’m drawn to things that feel different.”
“When the audition for ‘Downton’ came up, I couldn’t have been more surprised that it was for a real role – I thought I had a line or two.
“At the time, I didn’t know what it would mean to join such a cast. Thank God not, otherwise I would have thrown up immediately! It was a life changing moment. I was blown away by the cast and constantly surrounded by brilliant actors. It was such a gift.”
Role: The actress (right), who played the unhappily in love Lady Edith Grantham in the period drama, said she’s now “attracted to things that feel different” after starring in BBC modern thriller The Secrets She Keeps” starred
Speaking about leaving Downton Abbey and playing the “complicated” Agatha in ‘The Secrets She Keeps,’ Laura revealed she likes to “try on different hats.”
The series is directed by two women who both explore the relationship between femininity and motherhood.
For the full interview with Laura Carmichael, see this week’s Radio Times
Her character, a socially isolated supermarket worker, forms an unlikely friendship with successful mom blogger Meghan (Jessica De Gouw).
Laura said: “The series is about universal themes. Women who present themselves as perfect then their worlds collapse.”
She admitted she felt lucky to be in Australia, where the series was being filmed, and insisted her family would join her.
Laura met her partner Michael C. Fox while filming Downton Abbey Season 5.
The couple have been together since 2016 and moved in together two years ago. Then, in March of last year, they welcomed a little boy, Luca.
The couple keeps their relationship fairly private but made a rare appearance at the premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era last month.
They posed for a series of amorous snaps as they walked the red carpet arm in arm.
Although the couple is keeping their romance under wraps, Laura gushed about how lucky she was to have met Michael on the set of Downton Abbey.
New: Laura left her comfort zone to take on a new role in the Australian drama in 2020, with the actress returning for a second series, which was released in July
In 2019, she told Town and Country, “I’ve fallen in love and made wonderful friends — how lucky am I?”
Michael, who played illiterate Andrew Parker, has also opened up about their relationship in the past, saying they like to keep their romance separate from their Downton jobs.
“We went to work and in no way wanted that to be a thing when we worked together,” he told the Sunday Post.
“But it was great going to work with your best mate.”
For the full interview with Laura Carmichael, see this week’s Radio Times.
Happy couple: The couple keep their relationship fairly private but made a rare appearance in the premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era last month (pictured)