For all of Elizabeth McGovern's acting career, someone else wrote her lines. Now it's her turn. The “Downton Abbey” star pivots from British aristocracy to classic Hollywood royalty this summer to ...

The actress weighs in on playing Ava Gardner, how she became a playwright and why the cast was 'frightened' to film 'Downton ...

Elizabeth McGovern must have felt the same way as a lovely, ambitious, aspiring newcomer eager to make her own mark on the ...

It’s very liberating to take off that psychological corset,” the actress said of portraying the rambunctious Hollywood star ...

McGovern’s got a sadder and sweeter aura than Gardner, or at least than the constructed fatale character that Hollywood cast ...

McGovern says Gardner was caught in the impossibility of women's expectations at the time — be sexy but not sleep around. She had many lovers but also felt the shame society imposed.

McGovern says Gardner was caught in the impossibility of women's expectations at the time — be sexy but not sleep around. She had many lovers but also felt the shame society imposed.

Elizabeth McGovern, known for her role in "Downton Abbey," has written a play about Ava Gardner. The play, titled "Ava: The Secret Conversations," explores Gardner's relationship with journalist ...

Elizabeth McGovern, known for her role in "Downton Abbey," has written a play about Ava Gardner.

Elizabeth McGovern poses during a photo call for the off-Broadway play "Ava: The Secret Conversations" in New York on June 30, 2025. Credit: AP/Evan Agostini ...

Theater-Elizabeth McGovern FILE - Elizabeth McGovern poses during a photo call for the off-Broadway play "Ava: The Secret Conversations" in New York on June 30, 2025.