Downton Abbey star, Laura Carmichael on her ‘dowdy’ character

Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael who plays Lady Edith opens up about her experiences on the show

Downton Abbey is adored for it’s colorful collection of characters. It’s this very diversity that Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith, thinks puts her at an advantage over her on-screen sisters Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery and the former Lady Sybil, played by Jessica Brown Findlay.

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The unlucky-in-love Lady Edith isn’t the most glamourous of the Grantham sisters, but Laura believes not having her looks at the focus of her talents is a positive thing. She told Love magazine:

‘I think it must be so hard to start your career with everyone going on about how gorgeous you are. To be in that bracket must be so pressurised.’

But it’s not her co-stars or Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes who harp on about her looks, instead it’s the public.

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Laura revealed: ‘I am so lucky to be doing this job. And I probably end up with more confidence than anyone because when people meet me they say, "Oh, you're nowhere near as dowdy as we thought you were,” or, “Oh my God, you look so fat and old on TV but you're not like that at all.”’

Her reaction to these people is not to take offence but instead she is as gracious as her on-screen persona, Laura continued: ‘I think they think I'm going to be really thrilled to hear that. I just smile and say thank you.'

We think Laura is a true beauty on, and off, the screen!

What do you think, do you think Laura Carmichael is at an advantage for playing a less glamourous part? Let us know below.

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