Laura Carmichael is a talented English actress, best recognized for her role as Lady Edith Crawley in the acclaimed ITV and PBS period drama series, Downton Abbey. In addition to this, she has appeared in the television series Marcella and starred in the feature film A United Kingdom. Her full and real name is Laura Elizabeth Carmichael.
Laura Carmichael Age & Date of Birth
Laura Carmichael was born on 16th July 1986, in Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Currently, she is 39 years old.
Laura Carmichael Parents & Siblings
Laura Carmichael’s father, Andrew Carmichael, worked as a software consultant, while her mother, Sarah Carmichael, is a radiologist. When Laura and her sisters reached their twenties, their parents decided to divorce. She has two sisters named Amy and Olivia, and she spent her childhood in Southampton, England.
Laura Carmichael Nationality, Religion & Ethnicity
Laura Carmichael identifies as a Christian and holds British nationality. Her ethnicity is white.
Laura Carmichael Education
Laura Carmichael received her education at Shirley Junior School, The Mountbatten School, and Peter Symonds College. After that, she pursued her passion for acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she graduated in 2007. Following her graduation, she spent two years juggling various odd jobs such as a teaching assistant, receptionist, and nanny, all while attending small auditions in fringe theatres.
Laura Carmichael Profession & Career
Laura Carmichael made her Hollywood debut in 2011 with the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The year prior, she stepped into the television scene with the series Downton Abbey in 2010. Her rise to fame came with the same TV Series when she portrayed Lady Edith Crawley. Most recently, she appeared in the movie Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale, which was released in 2025. To date, she has been involved in an impressive total of 13 Hollywood productions, including various television series.
Laura Carmichael Movies & TV Series
| Year | Movies / TV Series |
| 2010 | Downton Abbey (TV Series) |
| 2011 | Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy |
| 2014 | Madame Bovary |
| 2015 | Burn Burn Burn |
| 2016 | Marcella (TV Series) |
| 2016 | A United Kingdom |
| 2017 | Man in an Orange Shirt (TV Mini-Series) |
| 2019 | Downton Abbey |
| 2019 | The Spanish Princess (TV Series) |
| 2020 | The Secrets She Keeps (TV Series) |
| 2022 | Downton Abbey – A New Era |
| 2025 | Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale |
Laura Carmichael Awards
Laura Carmichael has won 3 Awards.
In 2013, she won Screen Actors Guild Awards in Best Actress (Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series) category for the TV Series Downton Abbey.
In 2015, she won Screen Actors Guild Awards in Best Actress (Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series) category for the TV Series Downton Abbey.
In 2016, she won Screen Actors Guild Awards in Best Actress (Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series) category for the TV Series Downton Abbey.
Laura Carmichael Net Worth 2025
Laura Carmichael has been a prominent figure in the Hollywood industry for over 15 years. While one might anticipate a substantial income from her extensive career, the truth is quite different. Her estimated net worth stands at approximately 3 million US dollars.
Laura Carmichael Wedding, Husband & Children
Laura Carmichael has tied the knot with her Downton Abbey co-star Michael C. Fox. This couple, who began their relationship in 2014 and celebrated the arrival of their son, Luca, in 2021, recently announced their marriage during an NBC special that promoted the final Downton Abbey film, Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale. Over the years, they have maintained a mostly private relationship.
Laura Carmichael Height, Weight & Body Measurements
Laura Carmichael stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 6 inches, which translates to 1.68 meters. Weighing approximately 57 kg (127 pounds), she possesses a striking presence. Her blonde hair beautifully complements her captivating dark blue eyes. With a slim figure, her measurements are an alluring 30-27-29 inches, showcasing her stunning physique.
Laura Carmichael Weight Loss, Health & Fitness
Laura Carmichael has experienced a weight increase of 1 kg over the past month. To maintain her fitness and overall well-being, she engages in occasional walking. Currently, her health status is perfectly all-right.
The Reason Behind Why Lady Edith Emerged As The Most Remarkable Character In Downton Abbey
Having just finished binge-watching all six seasons of Downton Abbey, along with the three movies, we are now certain about who the standout character of the series is. This is said with the utmost respect for Lady Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, who was brilliantly brought to life by the Late Maggie Smith.
Julian Fellowes’ worldwide sensation revolves around the Crawley family from Yorkshire, England, along with their devoted servants below stairs. The story of Downton Abbey unfolds between 1912 and 1930, showcasing the Crawleys’ journey as they navigate the rapidly evolving modern era, facing numerous hardships while also experiencing a multitude of touching moments.
Downton Abbey features a vast ensemble cast, with Hugh Bonneville portraying Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, and Elizabeth McGovern as Cora, Lady Grantham. Their daughters include Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, Lady Edith, portrayed by Laura Carmichael, and Lady Sybil, who was brought to life by Jessica Brown-Findlay, a character who sadly met her end in Season 3 of Downton Abbey.
Maggie Smith’s portrayal of Lady Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, remains a formidable force throughout the series until her passing in Downton Abbey – A New Era.
While it’s easy to argue that Lady Violet stands as Downton’s most remarkable character, one of her granddaughters truly rises as the saga’s genuine heroine from the very beginning of Downton Abbey to it’s conclusion.
Why Lady Edith Emerged As The Most Remarkable Character In Downton Abbey ?
In our opinion, the most remarkable character in Downton Abbey is Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael), who ultimately transforms into Lady Edith Pelham, the Marchioness of Hexam, by the conclusion of the Downton Abbey television series.
Lady Edith was the often-ignored middle child of the Crawley family. She lacked the glamour of her elder sister, Lady Mary, and the beauty and compassion of her younger sister, Lady Sybil. Throughout her time in Downton Abbey, Edith faced numerous challenges and had to forge her own path, depending primarily on her own strength.
Similar to her older sister, Lady Edith embraced the roles of both wife and mother, marrying exceptionally well after enduring a series of unfortunate romances, including being left at the altar. Tragically, Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards), the father of her daughter Marigold (Eve and Karina Samms), met an untimely death in Germany.
Throughout Downton Abbey, Lady Edith transformed into a strong and influential character, whose sharp intellect and deep affection for her family render her a formidable presence, in stark contrast to the afterthought she appeared to be at the start of the series.
Lady Edith Boasts The Most Remarkable Character Development In Downton Abbey
Lady Edith was depicted as a cunning and envious middle sister, entangled in a perpetual rivalry with her more favored older sister, Lady Mary. Feeling inadequate compared to Mary, Edith even accepted her fate as a spinster. However, the middle Crawley daughter slowly began to carve out her own path.
Lady Edith certainly made some grave errors, particularly with her decision to marry the significantly older Sir Anthony Strallan (Robert Bathurst) and her choice to conceal her daughter Marigold at Yew Tree Farm. This not only disrupted the lives of Timothy Drewe (Anthony Scarborough) and his wife but also led them to adopt Marigold as if she were their own child.
Nevertheless, Lady Edith placed her trust in her own abilities as a writer. She gained independence from her family by taking a position at The Sketch, and after the passing of her partner, Michael Gregson, she rose to the role of editor. Edith relished her work and divided her time between London and Downton Abbey.
By the time we reach Season 6 of Downton Abbey, Lady Edith has encountered her future spouse, Bertie Pelham (played by Harry Hadden-Paton). Their marriage almost didn’t happen due to Edith’s secret of being an unwed mother. However, true love prevailed, and they ended up joyfully married.
Over the course of six seasons in Downton Abbey, Lady Edith transformed from being a figure of pity for her parents—Robert even expressing his disappointment that Edith “couldn’t even make her dolls do what she wanted”—to becoming the Marchioness of Hexam, surpassing everyone in her family.
In the three Downton Abbey films, Lady Edith has found joy in her roles as a wife and mother – she welcomed her second child, Peter, with Bertie – and continues to work for her magazine while fulfilling her duties as Marchioness of Hexam. No one in Downton Abbey has ascended as far from their starting point as she has.
Above all, Lady Edith is truly a wonderful individual. She is a caring mother, devoted to her family, compassionate towards her staff, intelligent, level-headed, possesses a heart of gold, and has also transformed into a glamorous figure.
Lady Edith Overshadowed Lady Mary
In the conclusion of Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale, it becomes evident that Lady Edith has outshine Lady Mary, who is struggling to deal with the repercussions of her divorce from Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode), resulting in Mary being ostracized by society.
In contrast, Lady Edith stands at the pinnacle of her influence as Marchioness of Hexam, with her husband, Bertie, being both devoted to and dependent on her. While Bertie and Edith share an equal partnership, he often defers to his wife’s intellect and sound judgment, particularly regarding matters concerning the Crawley family.
In the Downton Abbey TV series, Mary consistently overshadowed Edith as the older sister, fending off many suitors and being the one destined to inherit the Downton Abbey estate. However, while Downton was always intended for Mary, Edith accomplished something even more remarkable.
In the Downton Abbey films, Mary and Edith have largely set aside their sibling rivalry, although they still exchange a few sharp remarks for nostalgia’s sake. However, Mary is acutely aware that her sister wields significantly more power and influence outside the confines of Downton.
Demonstrating her deep affection for Mary, Lady Edith steps in to support her sister upon uncovering the reality about Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola), the cunning financial advisor to their uncle, Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti). Edith has never been more remarkable than when she used her influence to force Sambrook out of England.
In the conclusion of Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale, Lady Mary embraces her rightful position as the ‘captain’ of Downton Abbey’s legacy, stepping into the role once held by their beloved late grandmother, Lady Violet. The safety of the house and the future of the Crawley family is now securely entrusted to Mary.
Despite the passage of time, Mary remains fundamentally the same character she has always been in Downton Abbey, just like the other Crawleys and their staff. In stark contrast, Lady Edith has undergone significant transformation, evolving into a more well-rounded individual, ultimately becoming the most compelling character in the series.