The popular TV series “Downton Abbey” has captivated audiences with its captivating storyline revolving around the lives of the Crawley family and their dedicated staff. Recently, it came to light that a real-life love story was blossoming behind the scenes.
Actors Laura Carmichael, known for her role as Lady Edith, and Michael C. Fox, who portrayed Andrew Parker, have confirmed that they are a married couple. This revelation emerged during the promotion of the third and final installment of the series, “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,” where Michael reflected on the significant impact the show had on his life.
During a special segment titled “Downton Abbey Celebrates The Grand Finale” on NBC, Michael expressed his gratitude towards the show, acknowledging the profound influence it had on his personal life. Fellow cast member Lesley Nicol, who played Mrs. Patmore, quizzed Michael about the unexpected life changes brought about by the show, including finding his life partner and starting a family.
The couple, Laura aged 39 and Michael aged 36, welcomed their child in 2021. Their relationship, which began in 2014 when Michael joined the cast, was publicly disclosed in 2016. However, specific details regarding their wedding remain undisclosed.
In the series, Laura’s character Edith faced numerous romantic setbacks before finding happiness with Bertie Pelham, played by Harry Hadden-Paton. Similarly, Michael’s character Andrew progressed from a footman to being trained as a butler by Mr. Carson, ultimately marrying fellow servant Daisy, portrayed by Sophie McShera.
Laura and Michael are not the only real-life couple from the “Downton Abbey” cast, as Jim Carter, who played Mr. Carson, is married to Imelda Staunton, known for her role as Maude Bagshaw in the first two films of the franchise.