‘Downton Abbey: A New Age’ is the sequel to the hugely popular film released a couple of years ago, which in turn was a spin-off of the legendary television series. Created by aristocrat Julian Fellowes, the film takes the audience back to the Crawley castle, where the family clan is preparing for a trip to the south of France. Almost all of the main characters return: Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley, Laura Charmichael as Lady Edith Crawley, Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates, Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley and veteran actress Maggie Smith in her role as the indomitable Violet Crawley, the matron of the dynasty. In addition, new members join the cast, such as British actor Dominic West.
At the head of the cast of ‘Downton Abbey: A New Age’, Michelle Dockery (London, 1981) has been building a career that has also led her to star in the series ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’, which has become Netflix’s number 1 in the United Kingdom. The series is based on the best-selling book by Sarah Vaughan and offers an exciting look at a romance that shakes the corridors of British power.
-The Crawleys head to France on a new adventure, but Violet’s inheritance also seems to be getting complicated.
-I think she came out of it in a good way after the first film and it was natural that, in the second part, her situation would become more complicated. This film is a vision of the Crawleys in a different context. The fact of being able to travel, of having a bigger budget, has allowed us to film scenes that were impossible to film in the past. With each episode of this franchise, we are raising the bar.
-What does it mean to you to continue playing Lady Mary?
-This time, Mary is being hosted by director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), who decides to make a film at Downton while the rest of the family heads off to the French Riviera. As difficult as it is to get so many cast members back together, it’s a joy for me to be back with the team because I feel like I’m with family. Who doesn’t want to see their family again? As long as the public has an appetite for the Crawleys, I’ll keep coming back to the character. I love playing Mary, not just as an artist, as it’s always a blessing to have work in this industry, but on a personal level. Right now I have a lot to thank the character and her creator Julian Fellowes for.
-Did the pandemic affect you during filming?
-Yes, but we were lucky to have a team that was very prepared to take on the risk. The producers’ dedication was inexhaustible. I understand that I have been very fortunate to be able to work in such a difficult time, because Covid forced us to appreciate life in a different way. Being able to film ‘Downton Abbey’ in these circumstances, with a team that I consider my family, was a very positive experience.
-Maggie Smith also returns to the series.
-Any scene with Maggie is a privilege, but there is one sequence in particular that was very exciting for me. I don’t want to reveal details, but I will remember that moment as one of the best in my career and in my life. I will never forget it.
-What are the major differences between the series and the films?
-Film and television are two different mediums. In the series you don’t expect all the characters to appear in each episode because there is continuity, however in the film those who appear must have a reason to be there. We must force ourselves to tell the narrative of each character to resolve their story. That alters the structure with respect to the series, but the essence of the Crawleys remains.
-The future is bright for this family who are leaving television to take to the big screen in the second installment of a series of films. Do you plan to film more?
-It would be silly to tell you that we’re not going to make any more films, I guess it depends on the audience. I don’t know what the future holds for the Crowleys, I don’t know if we’ll make any more films about them, but I’m willing.
-How would you describe Lady Mary?
-When I read the first script for the series, I thought my character was a cold woman with a very contemptuous attitude towards those she did not consider to be of her class. But then I discovered that she is a vulnerable woman who is forced by the circumstances of her life to change. As an actress, I see her as complicated and that is why I like to play her.
-Would you like to live like Lady Mary?
-Yes. I think I would like to. It is true that women have more freedom now, but I am fascinated by her costumes, her femininity, her courage. Within her social situation, Lady Mary is one of the few women who dares to be ahead of her time, to speak with a frankness that other characters do not allow themselves.
-She has also achieved success on Netflix with David E Kelley’s series ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’, where she plays a lawyer.
-The success of ‘Downton Abbey’ has certainly opened many doors for me. I loved the novel on which the series is based. And I must admit that my character has been a challenge because of its many facets. It is a fantastic story, really powerful. Being part of a drama by David E. Kelley, of whom I am such a fan, is a privilege and a source of pride.
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