Downton Abbey Star Elizabeth McGovern: 'I Feel Like I'm Just Beginning!'

2025-08-14 00:00:23.542

The final Downton Abbey film is tinged with wistfulness, a goodbye to beloved characters and the stately home. Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora, doesn't share the melancholy, feeling excited about a new chapter in her career, including a new play, Ava: The Secret Conversations, and a new album. While the absence of Maggie Smith is felt, her presence permeates the film. McGovern discusses the challenges of playing Cora, a character constrained by the period's limitations, and contrasts Cora's progressive outlook with the current political climate in the US. She reflects on her early career success, the difficulties of sustaining a career, and the downsides of fame. McGovern discusses the frustrating roles she was offered early in her career, often fulfilling male fantasies, and how she has navigated ageism in Hollywood. She embraces her silver hair and continues to create her own opportunities, writing a play and a screenplay. McGovern expresses her frustration with the lack of roles for older women, particularly regarding their sexuality, but remains determined to continue forging her own path.