I'm sick of being known for Downton, says Lady Sybil: Jessica Brown Findlay reveals she feels 'owned' by the period drama

  • Four years on from BBC series, actress still only talked about for Downton
  • Admits drama was a 'double-edged sword' as she's now 'owned' by it
  • Has since starred in big productions, with Colin Farrell and Russell Crowe
  • Takes another swipe at show that made her name, stressing her hatred for wearing corsets 

By Jemma Buckley Showbusiness Reporter For The Daily Mail

Published: 18:00 EST, 15 July 2015 | Updated: 09:05 EST, 16 July 2015

Four years on from starring in the ITV drama, Jessica Brown Findlay has revealed she still feels ‘owned’ by Downton Abbey

Four years on from starring in the ITV drama, Jessica Brown Findlay has revealed she still feels ‘owned’ by Downton Abbey

It was the show that turned her into a household name.

But four years on, Jessica Brown Findlay has revealed she still feels ‘owned’ by Downton Abbey.

The actress, 25, found fame staring as Lady Sybil in the ITV period drama but is now fed up she is not recognised for her other roles.

‘The Downton thing is a real double-edged sword. It’s four years since I left and I still find myself described as “Downton’s Jessica Brown Findlay”. It’s like I’m owned by it,’ she told ES Magazine. 

She does not miss the costumes either, joking: ‘Urgh — I f****** hate corsets.’

Since she was killed off during childbirth on Downton in 2012, Miss Brown Findlay has starred in a string of high-profile productions.

Her latest project is Victor Frankenstein with James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe.

She has also appeared in the BBC adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn and A New York Winter’s Tale with Russell Crowe and Colin Farrell.

The actress disclosed she has turned her back on more lucrative deals during her career.

She said: ‘There was a road available to me that would have been, for many, a more attractive and certainly more commercial route.

'But playing the love interest is just never going to be my bag. I hate the idea of being put in a box of any kind, but especially that sort.

'I want to be a voice that says, “Can it not be about more than that? Can it not be more complex and exciting?”’

Before becoming an actress, Miss Brown Findlay was a talented dancer but her dreams came crashing down when she injured her ankle age 19.

She said: ‘Nothing else mattered to me except dancing. [My parents] would often say, “There’s a party, you should go,” but I would just refuse. Until I gave up ballet, I’d never even gone to a nightclub.

Jessica (middle) has starred in a string of high-profile productions since playing Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey - but still can't shake the tag

Jessica (middle) has starred in a string of high-profile productions since playing Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey - but still can't shake the tag

‘[The injury] was utterly, completely shattering. I don’t think it was until very recently that I truly stopped grieving.’

Despite her successful career, the actress is still renting and is about to move from Shoreditch, east London, to north London.

She said: ‘I certainly haven’t bought my own flat yet. I’m still paying off my student loan.’

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