Laura Carmichael has said she felt like she grew up with her Downton Abbey co-stars. The 29-year-old, who played Lady Edith Crawley in the ITV drama, has remained close to the rest of the cast since they finished filming in 2015.
In particular she has forged a strong bond with her fellow leading ladies Michelle Dockery, Lily James and Jessica Brown Findlay.
Laura Carmichael said she is "very much in touch" with her Downton Abbey co-stars
"We are very much in touch," Laura told ES magazine of their friendship. "There's definitely a feeling of growing up with that lot. We do a lot of WhatsApp and we had a girls' dinner the other day. It's lush."
Laura's friendship is no doubt valued by her co-star Michelle, whose fiancée John Dineen tragically passed away from a rare form of cancer in December. The 34-year-old has remained out of the spotlight in the weeks since his death as she continues to grieve in private, but is sure to be receiving lots of love and support from her family and friends.
While Laura was open about the friendships she forged on the show, she wouldn't be drawn into discussion about whether she is dating her Downton co-star Michael Fox. The pair were first linked in January, and while Laura mentioned that she has a boyfriend in the interview, she declined to name him.
Laura wouldn't discuss her blossoming relationship with Downton star Michael Fox
"Not talking about it," she said. "Sorry, it always sounds so rude, but I just can't."
Laura and Michael, who played footman Andrew Parker, were said to have bonded on the set of the period drama over the past year and started dating in recent weeks.
"It's very early days but they are really enjoying each other's company," a source told The Sun in January. "The best part is that since the show ended they have had a lot more time to spend with each other. Before that, most of their time together was at work."