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Laura Carmichael is divine in a powder blue gown as she hits the red carpet premiere of A United Kingdom at BFI London Film Festival gala opening

By Jj Nattrass and Becky Freeth for MailOnline

Published: 13:07 EST, 5 October 2016 | Updated: 18:27 EST, 5 October 2016

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Laura Carmichael channeled one of her favourite eras on Wednesday night, as she helped open the BFI London Film Festival.

As one of the stars of the first film to be premiered, A United Kingdom, the former Downton Abbey actress was centre of attention on the red carpet.

She shone in a powder blue gown, which featured a lace collar and seemed to throwback to her days in the ITV period drama.

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Powder blue: Laura Carmichael wowed on the red carpet on Wednesday night, as she turned out for the Opening Night Gala of the BFI London Film Festival

Gorgeous: Laura looked exquisite in her lace design frock

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It's the opening night gala of the BFI London Film Festival tonight and stars including Tom Felton, Rosamund Pike, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and David Oyelowo have all graced the red carpet.

And there was some Downton Abbey action too with Laura Carmichael making a stylish appearance in a lovely gown by Stella McCartney. There's nothing we don't like about this dress and we almost swooned when we saw it.

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The dress featured a pleat design throughout, with a drop waist band that made her skirt fuller at the ankles.

On top, Laura daringly chose a side-panel of see-through lace that exposed nude-coloured lingerie beneath.

With her hair elegantly pinned back, Laura drew attention to a bold, red lipstick look that matched her manicure, perfectly.

Demure: She teamed her one-colour garment with bold, red lipstick and black shoes

All eyes on me: The blonde certainly commanded plenty of attention in Leicester Square

In the film, Downton actress Laura is still time-travelling for her work, but this time she's back to the 1940s.

Laura plays Muriel Williams, the sister of central lead Ruth Williams, played by fellow British beauty Rosamund Pike.

A United Kingdom tells the tale of Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana and Ruth, who cause an international scandal when they marry.

Opening night: The film would be the first to open the 61st Film Festival

Starry-eyed: At the premiere, actress Rosamund Pilke (left) and Laura (right) were joined by director Amma Asante (centre)

Laura and co-star Rosamund have developed quite the bond while working together on their new film.

Hitting the red carpet together at the film's photocall at the Mayfair Hotel earlier that day, Rosamund, 37, and Laura, 30, appeared delighted to be reunited.

Showing off their in-sync styles at the event, the two actresses took to the red carept in contrasting mini dresses.

Rosamund, who first shot to fame as a Bond girl, wowed in a funky red thigh-grazing number.

Chic co-stars: It seems Rosamund and Laura have developed quite the bond working on A United Kingdom together

Lady in red: Hitting the red carpet together at the film's photocall at the Mayfair Hotel on Wednesday, Rosamun, 37, and Laura, 30, appeared delighted to be reunited

The fitted floral-print number clung to the actress slender frame before tapering out below the waist.

Teamed with a pair towering black suede heels, Roasmund ensured that her lithe legs were firmly in the limelight.

Wearing her blonde locks in a simple swept-over style, the Jack Reacher star's striking features were perfectly framed.

Thigh's the limit: Teamed with a pair towering black suede heels, Roasmund ensured that her lithe legs were firmly in the limelight

Laura went for a breezier look with her dress and opted for a white layered number.

The long-sleeved mini featured a gossamer-thin layer with gold print emblazoned on it, allowed the Downton Abbey beauty to flash a hint of skin.

A white slip under-layer ensured her modesty was kept firmly in-tact, though like Rosamund Laura chose to flaunt her legs.

Rounding her look off with a pair of metallic skyscraper heels, which saw her rival her co-star in the height department.

The two actresses were joined on the red carpet by the film's leading men, David Oyelowo and Tom Felton.

Wowing in white: Laura went for a breezier look with her dress and opted for a white layered number

Demure from Downton: The long-sleeved mini featured a gossamer-thin layer with gold print emblazoned on it, allowed the Downton Abbey beauty to flash a hint of skin

The film family: The two actresses were joined on the red carpet by the film's leading men, David Oyelowo and Tom Felton as well as their other co-stars