Although likely best known as Lady Mary Crawley, Michelle Dockery seems to reinvent herself in compelling role after compelling role, proving there’s little she can’t do. The English stage-to-screen star has learned how to harness nerves in auditions, avoid over-preparing for a role, and channel vulnerability into her characters. “You walk on every day feeling vulnerable,” she says. “We’re all just holding hands and jumping in and seeing what happens.”

Trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in her hometown of London, Michelle turned her breakout role in the National Theatre’s production of “His Dark Materials” into a steady career of on-camera work in the U.K. and U.S., earning three SAG Award wins and four Emmy nominations. From Lady Mary in Julian Fellowes’ hit series “Downton Abbey” and its 2019 feature film, to “Anna Karenina,” “Good Behavior,” “Godless,” “The Gentlemen,” and now Mark Bomback’s “Defending Jacob” from AppleTV+, it seems there’s little she can’t do. This episode is brought to you by AppleTV+.

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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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