Chic in the city! Cynthia Nixon cuts a sophisticated figure in little black dress as she promotes A Quiet Passion at BFI Film Festival

By Ellie Genower For Mailonline

Published: 18:16 EST, 11 October 2016 | Updated: 19:30 EST, 11 October 2016

In her new film, she dons period costume in her role of reclusive 19th century poet Emily Dickinson.  

But Cynthia Nixon was dressing very much for the 21st Century on Tuesday night as she stepped out at the BFI Film Festival.

The Sex And The City star sported a sleeveless black dress split to the thigh teamed with matching black heels for her appearance. 

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Little black dress: Cynthia Nixon looked chic in a dress split to the thigh teamed with heels as she arrived at the BFI Film Festival screening of A Quiet Passion on Tuesday 

Little black dress: Cynthia Nixon looked chic in a dress split to the thigh teamed with heels as she arrived at the BFI Film Festival screening of A Quiet Passion on Tuesday 

She wore her blonde hair in its usual short style, teamed with drop earrings and a boxy red, gold and black clutch. 

The chic ensemble served to flatter the 50-year-old actress's svelte figure, showing off her toned arms to the maximum. 

Cynthia's co-star Catherine Bailey also attended the event - looking striking in a scarlet short sleeved dress and black and white striped shoes. 

Little touches: She wore her blonde hair in its usual short style, teamed with drop earrings and a boxy red gold and black clutch

Little touches: She wore her blonde hair in its usual short style, teamed with drop earrings and a boxy red gold and black clutch

New role: The star has always been a fan of the poet and researchd the role thoroughly

New role: The star has always been a fan of the poet and researchd the role thoroughly

Trim and toned: The star's outfit flaunted her slim figure to the maximum
Trim and toned: The star's outfit flaunted her slim figure to the maximum

Trim and toned: The star's outfit flaunted her slim figure to the maximum 

Directed by Terence Davis, the biopic explores the poet's relationships with her family including sister Lavinia (Jennifer Ehle), brother Austin (Duncan Duff), mother Emily (Joanna Bacon) – and friend Vryling Wilder Buffum (Catherine Bailey). 

'I love Emily Dickinson’s poetry,' Cynthia told the Indiewood website 'I loved it as a small child and I love it still. I think she’s remarkable. 

'She’s an interesting brain and also a complicated person. It’s not often in life that one gets to play a part that has so many cells.  

Stars of the show: Cynthia joined director Terence Davies and Clare Stewart, Director of the BFI London Film Festival on the carpet 

Stars of the show: Cynthia joined director Terence Davies and Clare Stewart, Director of the BFI London Film Festival on the carpet 

Lady in red: Catherine Bailey sported a short sleeved dress and black and white striped shoes
Lady in red: Catherine Bailey sported a short sleeved dress and black and white striped shoes

Lady in red: Catherine sported a short sleeved dress and black and white striped shoes 

'There is a shy defiant person, an incredible, hopeful and loving person, who is eager to connect. Then there is a very bitter, almost cruel person. I mean it’s such a range inside her.'

The actress said she prepared by ensuring that her look resembled the poet as much as possible, as well as reading her intimate letters. 

'I try to look like her as much as I could because we don’t know what she looked like,' she said. 'It’s important since we live in such an informal time; we are so casual about everything. 

'This was a very formal time, even though they deprived themselves on straight forward, honesty and directness, they were just formal. So once you get into those clothes, it does help bring you back to that period.'

Film magic: Cynthia as Emily Dickinson in A Quiet Passion alongside Jennifer Ehle who plays the poet's sister Lavinia

Film magic: Cynthia as Emily Dickinson in A Quiet Passion alongside Jennifer Ehle who plays the poet's sister Lavinia

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