Ep 774. Julian Fellowes, Elizabeth McGovern

Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, and Elizabeth McGovern, one of the show's stars, are the guests on season 7 episode 774 of Tavis Smiley.

The episode kicks off with Tavis Smiley discussing the success of Downton Abbey with Julian Fellowes. Fellowes opens up about his inspiration for the show, revealing that it was a combination of his love for period dramas and his desire to fill a gap that he saw in the market. Fellowes shares that he was troubled by the fact that period dramas often depicted working-class people as downtrodden and miserable. With Downton Abbey, he wanted to show that people of all classes had complex lives and complicated relationships.

The conversation moves on to Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Lady Cora on the show. Tavis Smiley asks McGovern about the character of Lady Cora and the challenges of playing an American in an English period drama. McGovern shares that she based her accent on her grandmother, who was from Chicago. She also talks about the pressures of wearing a corset and other period costumes, explaining that they help her get into character but can be very uncomfortable to wear.

The conversation then turns to the topic of diversity in Hollywood. Tavis Smiley asks Julian Fellowes about his thoughts on the lack of diversity in period dramas and whether or not he feels a responsibility to include more diverse perspectives in his work. Fellowes acknowledges that there is a lack of diversity in some of his work but argues that he tries to be true to the time period he is depicting. He also notes that he has incorporated more diverse perspectives in some of his recent work, including the upcoming film The Chaperone, which features a diverse cast and was co-written by a woman of color.

Elizabeth McGovern adds her voice to the conversation, noting that she has been dismayed by the lack of roles for women over 40 in Hollywood. She argues that women of all ages have important stories to tell and that it is crucial for the industry to start valuing those stories.

The episode wraps up with a discussion of Julian Fellowes' new project, a television adaptation of his novel Belgravia. Fellowes explains that the show is similar in tone to Downton Abbey but takes place in a different time period and explores different themes. He also shares that he is excited to be working with the streaming service Epix on the project and believes that television is the perfect medium for telling long-form stories.

Overall, season 7 episode 774 of Tavis Smiley is an engaging and informative conversation with two talented artists. Fans of Downton Abbey and Julian Fellowes' work will appreciate the insights into his creative process, while those interested in the state of diversity in Hollywood will find the conversation thought-provoking. Elizabeth McGovern's insights into the experience of playing Lady Cora and the challenges faced by women in the industry add an important perspective to the discussion.