Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael says the show has “changed all of her life” by introducing her to “wonderful friends” - including partner Michael Fox.
Carmichael played Lady Edith Crawley in Julian Fellowes’ period drama from 2010 to 2015 and is set to reprise the role in the upcoming Downton Abbey film.
“It has changed all of my life,” she told Town & Country. “When you are able to work, and love it, it is such a joy. And I’ve fallen in love and made wonderful friends - how lucky am I?”
The actress, 33, and Fox, who played footman Andrew Parker, went public with their relationship in 2018.
Carmichael is also close friends with her on-screen relatives Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sibyl) and Lily James (Lady Rose).
The star recalled that she felt like “a rabbit in the headlights” on her first day filming the TV show but was reassured by co-star Jim Carter, who plays the butler Mr. Carson.
“On my first day, I think Jim saw I was like a rabbit in the headlights - I had to come in, speak, and serve myself some breakfast, which seemed utterly terrifying - and he said, “Why don’t you come over here, lovey, and I’ll help you?” she said.
“It makes me feel very fortunate to have worked with these great British actors.”
The Downton Abbey film features a script by show creator Julian Fellowes and will take place in 1927, one year on from the show’s final episode.
It will focus on a royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary and their palace staff, who cause a stir with Downton’s servants.
Carmichael and Dockery will reunite with on-screen parents Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham) and Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora), and Maggie Smith will be back as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess.
Carter’s wife Imelda Staunton is set to make her Downton debut as Lady Bagshaw, while Tuppence Middleton will play her lady’s maid Lucy.
The Autumn issue of Town & Country is on sale on Thursday 22 August. The Downton Abbey film is released in cinemas on September 13.
