This month, I had the opportunity to catch up with the stars of Downton Abbey when they arrived in New York City to talk about the sixth and final season of the Masterpiece drama airing on PBS January 3, 2016. So when Elizabeth McGovern hit the red carpet—looking as fabulous as the Countess of Grantham in circa 2015 fashion, I couldn’t help but wonder if the American actress felt the responsibility of carrying the role of the dignified American at the core of the manor.
“I really didn’t think about that on a daily basis,” McGovern says, laughing. “I always aim not to let my country down.”
But the actress admits that Cora’s journey and character are very different from what she had first anticipated. “That’s interesting, because when I first read the part, it was truly one of those parts and the writing that could have gone any number of directions,” she says. “It was not really clear—was she a crass nouveau riche American, or was she a descendent of the Mayflower? You know, it was kind of very open to interpretation. And so we really, slowly—decision by decision found this character as we went along. And it was only in the third season, when I was told that she was the descendant of a Jewish self-made man. I had made a whole bunch of other assumptions. You sort of build it like a house, brick by brick.”
What is in store for Lady Cora in 1925? Elizabeth McGovern isn’t giving away any secrets— which is one more reason why we can’t wait to watch.
Don’t miss my continuous coverage and countdown to Downton Abbey Season 6.
Watch the premiere of Downton Abbey’s final season on PBS MASTERPIECE Sunday, January 3 9/8c.
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