EXCLUSIVE: She has gone from working-class prisoner in Vera Drake to the aristocracy as Lady Bagshaw in the Downton Abbey movie. Now Imelda Staunton has achieved royal status in The Crown.

Close friends say Claire Foy is providing a consoling shoulder for Matt Smith, whose relationship with girlfriend Lily James, has been the subject of increasing talk among showbiz insiders.

Producer Gareth Neame said that after the first film's huge success there have been early talks about making a follow-up, after they were left 'holding their breath' regarding the reaction to the film.

Ms Dockery has been dating creative director Jasper Waller-Bridge (with her, top right) for the past three months, it is understood. (Bottom right, with her fiance, John Dineen, in 2013.)

The Downton Abbey actress, 38, who played Lady Mary Crawley in the hit series, said she laughed out loud after a 'burly' taxi driver told her it was 'shame about your sister in season 3'.

The actress, 38, posed in a series of stunning images for the publication while reflecting on her career and forthcoming role in Guy Ritchie's latest flick, which is set for release in January 2020

Tom Cullen, 34, is a Welsh writer, actor and director who played Viscount Gillingham in Downton Abbey. His directorial debut, the film Pink Wall, is out now.

The Downton Abbey star, 38, put on a stylish display in the all-black ensemble as she joined her male co-stars at the event at the event in The Whitby Hotel

The former Downton Abbey star, 30, cut a stylish figure at the event, donning a black top with a matching skirt while she added height to her frame with brown boots.

Tamsin Grieg and Alice Eve took to the stage to discuss their roles in upcoming period drama Belgravia during the 2020 Winter TCA at The Langham in Pasadena on Saturday.

Michelle Dockery enjoyed a break from her hectic schedule as she visited the beach in Malibu, California with her friends this week.

Successful applicants will be paid a 'competitive' hourly rate and offered shared accommodation on the 5,000-acre Berkshire estate owned by The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

Ioan Gruffudd is set to return to ITV's Liar as Andrew Earlham next month. Father-of-two who lives in LA, says he's now 'old and weathered enough' to represent anti-heroes.

Welsh-born Ioan Gruffudd, 46, told The Guardian that he couldn't wait to get his teeth into the character after reading the script, but the 'horrible things he's done' took their toll on him during filming.

Joanne Froggatt promoted series two of Liar alongside co-star Katherine Kelly in London on Thursday, in her first public appearance since announcing her split from husband James Cannon.

Lisa Sewards met the cast of new ITV 19th-century period drama Belgravia on set. Tamsin Greig, an Olivier-winning stage actress, appears as Anne Threnchard.

JAN MOIR: Like Downton, Belgravia starts with a tragedy - only this one develops into a secret that threatens to engulf two families in scandal and could start or end a dynasty.

JAN MOIR: If only victualler's daughter Sophia Trenchard (Emily Reid) and posho Lord Edmund Bellasis (Jeremy Neumark Jones) had been in control of their lust, we wouldn't be here at all.

Following the premier of Belgravia, FEMAIL takes a look at the historical references weaved into Julian Fellowe's narrative - including the real life scandal that inspired the protagonists' love affair.

TALK OF THE TOWN: Three months after splitting from The Crown actor Matt Smith, Lily James nipped to a florist near her home in Primrose Hill, North London, to buy a large yellow bouquet,

Now that Greta Gerwig's Oscar-winning adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott classic is available to stream, eagle-eyed audiences have noticed a major error in a shot from the period film.

TALK OF THE TOWN: Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary was on a mission to buy essentials for herself and boyfriend Jasper Waller-Bridge, the brother of Fleabag star Phoebe.

The Downton Abbey star, 58, joked on Wednesday that she made the Hollywood icon, 56, 'the man he is' today thanks to their scenes in 1994 rom-com The Favour.

Maxine Peake has claimed Northern actors still face discrimination for their accents and end up being cast as servants because they are seen as uneducated.

Lord Fellowes, creator of the ITV period drama, and two of its stars, Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, will take fans on an 'ultimate insider tour' of the castle, delivered online.

One of the legacies of lockdown could be that we all end up with spotless homes. With time on our hands, we are turning into a nation of housekeepers, fearlessly delving into dusty corners.

The presenter, 54, said on Tuesday's Good Morning Britain that he will not be attending the star-studded ceremony as he's fed up of the camera catching his reaction when they lose the Daytime Award.

The National Television Awards always brings out the biggest names on TV.  So it came as no surprise to see Jacqueline Jossa making her way to London to prepare for the event on Tuesday.

The pregnant star, 38, took to Instagram to share a sweet snap alongside her husband-to-be after tweeting she wouldn't be attending the ceremony because she 'can't be a***d to get glammed up.'

The actor, 34, who plays Gemma Winter's brother Paul Foreman, cut a casual figure as he headed to the star-studded ceremony, which will take place at the O2 Arena.

Danny Dyer, wife Joanne Mas and Emma Willis led the famous faces getting ready for the National Television Awards on Tuesday.

Lizzie Cundy looked nothing short of sensational when she prepared for the National Television Awards on Tuesday.

Maura Higgins and her boyfriend Curtis Pritchard were among the first to hit the red carpet for the National Television Awards at London's 02 Arena on Tuesday.

Gabby Allen risked a run-in with Jacqueline Jossa at the National Television Awards on Tuesday after being accused of having an affair with her husband.

The TOWIE star, 25, appeared to have a full glam squad at hand to assist her with her awards ceremony look as she got ready for the night ahead.

The Olympic champion, 70, ensured all eyes were on her in a plunging silver gown which highlighted her athletic physique on the red carpet.

Arriving at London's O2 Arena, former Love Island star Gabby Allen, 26, led the way for the most questionable fashion choices at the NTA Awards tonight.

She scooped the top prize on The Apprentice 2019, landing the job as Lord Sugar's newest business partner.

In keeping up with tradition, Georgia Toffolo, 25, surprised onlookers for the second year in a row by taking the tube to the glitzy event on Tuesday night.

Billie and Sam Faiers pulled out all the stops for The National Television Awards on Tuesday.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly made history at the National Television Awards on Tuesday as they won the Best Presenter Award for the nineteenth year in a row.

Montana Brown certainly didn't disappoint when she attended the National Television Awards 2020 at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday night, donning a daring dress for the occasion.

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury, both 20, turned up the glamour as they walked the red carpet hand in hand at London's 02 Arena.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Oti and Motsi Mabuse dazzled on stage at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night.

It appears Alison King may have indulged in one glass too many at this year's event, as she was seemingly escorted out of the ceremony at 9pm Tuesday evening.

Megan McKenna, 27, took centre stage as she commanded the red carpet at the National Television Awards , arriving at London 's O2 Arena on Tuesday night in an edgy slip dress.

Olivia Buckland and husband Alex Bowen are still as loved up as ever, cosying up together at the National Television Awards 2020 in London on Tuesday night.

Holly Willoughby, 38, was among the first to make a quick exit from London's 02 Arena where the awards were held on Tuesday night.

The cast of the ITV soap took to the stage to accept the honour, just days after leaving viewers gripped with a week of episodes leading to the murder of Graham Foster.

The former Saturdays singer, 31, cut a glamorous figure as she attended the National Television Awards at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday.