Elizabeth McGovern: Moving On from Downton Abbey
DOWNTON ABBEY SAYS GOODBYE: Elizabeth McGovern Speaks Out on the End of an Era
In a candid interview with Tatler magazine, Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern has revealed she's ready to bid farewell to the beloved manor house and its eccentric inhabitants. As the actress prepares to say goodbye to Lady Cora in the upcoming film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, she confessed that she's "over" playing the role and is eager to move on.
"It's done," Elizabeth declared, striking a pose for Tatler in a sizzling zebra-print gown designed by Pamella Roland. "I loved making this film, but I'm now over it." And with good reason - after six seasons and three films, it's no wonder the 64-year-old actress is feeling fatigued.
But what really got our attention was Elizabeth's heartfelt tribute to her late co-star Dame Maggie Smith, who played the Dowager Countess of Grantham. "Everybody definitely had mixed feelings about doing Downton again, especially without Maggie," she revealed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Working with her was absolutely wonderful... hell on earth," she added with a chuckle.
Elizabeth praised her co-stars for their dedication to the show, but also couldn't help taking a subtle dig at them: "When [director husband] Simon came on board it really helped, because getting the cast together was like herding cats." Ouch! But we have to admit, it's hard not to laugh when imagining Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery trying to corral themselves into line.
As for the impact of Downton Abbey on the cast's lives, Elizabeth got a little choked up: "Watching this film's first screening with everyone was quite emotional. There's definitely a bond between us you cannot fake, because we've all gone through this thing together that has had a profound impact on our lives." And it's not just the actors who have been affected - fans around the world have fallen in love with the show, which has become a cultural phenomenon.
Elizabeth noted that Downton Abbey has tapped into something deeper: "It's not just for the era it depicts, but for the time they first saw it. It was a much simpler world then, when we all sat down on a Sunday night to watch together and everybody would talk about it the next day." Ah, remember those halcyon days when TV was a communal experience? Elizabeth is spot on - these days, we're more likely to be scrolling through our phones than bonding over our favorite shows.
But what's really refreshing about Elizabeth's interview is her no-nonsense attitude towards fame. "I feel really lucky because I've had a career which has been up and down, but consistently offered up challenges," she said. "I haven't had absolute fame, which is [something that can be] really crippling." And we have to agree - there's nothing worse than being famous for the sake of it.
In fact, Elizabeth confessed that she's actually grateful for her career trajectory: "I'm better off this way... That kind of fame hurts when it goes. And I have never been more excited about wanting to do things than at this point in my life." It's clear that Elizabeth is ready to take on new challenges and leave the past behind - but we're not sure if we're ready to say goodbye to Downton Abbey just yet.
The full feature, including more from Elizabeth McGovern, will be available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday 4th September.
