American actress Elizabeth McGovern showed her loyalty to her adopted Britain last night, revealing she thought British films were better than their US counterparts, when she stepped out at last night's Moet British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) in London.
McGovern, who has lived in the UK since marrying TV and now film director Simon Curtis, told Huffington Post UK: "American events are much bigger than this but, for my money, this is actually more exciting, because the films are better."
The star, who made her name in Once Upon A Time in America, has enjoyed a rocket return to the limelight as Lady Crawley in TV phenomenon Downton Abbey (her lips were officially sealed when it came to giving away any titbits for the forthcoming third series), but was happy to last night to take a supporting role as Curtis basked in the success of his big screen directing debut, My Week With Marilyn.
HUFFPOST REPORTS FROM THE BIFAs:
Curtis played down his part, praising instead his cast members Kenneth Branagh and Michelle Williams, who play Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe respectively. Curtis told reporters: "I'm just delighted that Michelle has got the praise she deserves. It was such an enormous challenge to take on."
Other Downton Abbey stars attending the Awards included Dan Stevens, John Carter and Joanne Froggatt.
The cream of British screen were all there last night - check out our Slideshow of the great and good at the Moet British Independent Film Awards...