After six hit seasons, Downton Abbey came to an end a year ago in Britain, and two of its cast members have films in cinemas this week, with more coming soon. Laura Carmichael, who played Lady Edith, stars in the comedy-drama road movie Burn Burn Burn, and next month has a key role in A United Kingdom opposite David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike.
Laura Carmichael at the premiere of A United Kingdom
‘Burn Burn Burn’ follows the lives of two women, Seph and Alex, who set out on a road trip after the tragic death of their friend Dan to scatter his ashes and give him a proper send off. Meanwhile, ‘A United Kingdom’ is a biographical drama about Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana and his controversial marriage to a white women in the 1940s.
“I’ve been very lucky, I think, to have done six years on something and come out feeling that the world’s your oyster, really,” Carmichael laughs. “I feel that I’ve had another six years’ training!”
She loved working with acting legends on Downton, and now is enjoying the chance to work with female directors Chanya Button on Burn Burn Burn and Amma Asante on A United Kingdom. Politically active, Carmichael has some strong words about social fairness. “I’m definitely interested in people who are wanting to protect equality,” she says. “I love the way in Britain we try to make things fairer and it upsets me to think that could change because of the Tory government.”
More: Read a review of Laura’s new film Burn Burn Burn
All of this makes her feel even more wary about being considered a big star. “Oh my God, I still don’t really think of myself in that way at all,” she says. “We’re so lucky and I know it’s not true of everyone who’s made a TV show, but Downton is so loved and even if you’re snobby about it, people don’t ever have a bad feeling about it.”
‘A United Kingdom’ is out now and ‘Burn Burn Burn’ hits UK theatres today (October 28th 2016).
Watch the trailer for A United Kingdom:
