Laura Carmichael Poses for a Regal Cover Shoot with 'Town & Country'

Laura Carmichael rides a horse on the cover of Town & Country UK‘s Autumn issue, on newsstands August 22.

Here is what the 33-year-old Downton Abbey actress had to share with the mag:

On the film and TV industry: “I was so close to not being a working actress. I had a hard time. It’s such a painful experience, wanting to act and not doing it, and trying to figure out how to get in there.”

On her time on Downton Abbey: “It has changed all of my life. When you are able to work, and love it, it is such a joy. And I’ve fallen in love and made wonderful friends – how lucky am I?”

On being typecast: “It’s really fun to do something modern. Downton Abbey has a long casting shadow – I’ve been in a lot of costume dramas…”

On her audition for Lady Edith Crawley: “I went to audition, and because it was so top-secret, I didn’t get the script before I arrived. I thought I’d probably have one line, but I had five scenes. I was reading them, going, ‘My God, this is a proper part! Why are they seeing me for it?’”

For more from Laura, visit TownAndCountryMag.com!