Meet Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery's alter-ego: "rich Britney from Beverley Hills"

However, Michelle tells Radio Times she's come up with a novel solution to avoid getting stopped in the street for selfies: when she's recognised in the US, she simply pretends to be "rich Britney, from Beverley Hills," who happens to look just like Lady Mary.

"It's a silly spoof, but it passes the time. We're always sending ourselves up. Even on set, when you're doing a serious scene, you can't help but see the funny version."

The new series of the ITV period drama – which starts on Sunday (21 September) – will see Mary caught once again between her two suitors, Viscount Tony Gillignham (Tom Cullen) and Charles Blake (Julian Ovenden).

"What I love about Mary's story this year is that she's allowing herself to make those choices. There's a scene where she says, 'Why can't I have a relationship with a man before I decide he's the one I want to settle down with?' She's very complex, she's very modern."

The full interview is in this week's Radio Times, on sale today in shops and on Newsstand for iPad or iPhone

For the first in a four-part RT special, The Downton Years, packed with exclusive interviews and pictures, download the Radio Times newsstand edition.