Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern: I Pray That Cora Will Be More Strong-Willed, But Julian's Not Interested - EXCLUSIVE

She tends to be the mediator and voice of reason.

But Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern wishes that Lady Grantham was more impassioned, admitting that writer Julian Fellowes isn't interested in the other side of her character.

Speaking to Yahoo, she said: "It’s so not in my control what happens with the character.

"I mean, I of course would look forward to having something to play that’s dramatic, and the trouble with a really nice character is that she’s always really nice.

"But, that’s what I've got, that’s the part that I’ve been given."

Elizabeth, 53, who is also the singer in Sadie And The Hotheads, loves playing Cora, but says that she can't ever see her losing her rag.

She said: "Having a flip out and a meltdown? No, that would be me in my trailer.

"I don’t see Cora doing that but, if you guys want to campaign for something like that, be my guest! It’s funny how many people ask me why Cora doesn’t get angry. It’s ridiculous. But it’s not in my control."

But the US star thinks that her character's more reticent approach might have been a sign of the times, admitting that things wouldn't be quite the same today.

She told us: "I think women now do have a different expectation, whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing I don’t know.

"Someone like Cora will accept her fate and be more at peace. I think that is definitely Julian’s idea.

"I often wonder, isn’t there something else going on with this woman? And then she has to present a side, but if there is, he’s not interested in it."

The US star, who has been in the hit show since the very beginning, understands that the award-winning writer has the daunting task of juggling dozens of characters every series.

Elizabeth said: "To be fair to him, I completely understand, he’s got 30 characters and he’s got to do them all justice and he can’t listen to everyone and their dreams for the character.

"I do understand, it’s the whole fabric that makes the show work, it's not about the colors of one character.

"When you piece them all together it’s about one tapestry, it doesn’t feel like broad strokes, it feels like everyone playing their note in a symphony. But sometimes it gets like, you’re the bassoon, you’re not doing the aria."

With some very dramatic scenes set for the new series... perhaps we'll see some fireworks from Cora after all.