‘It was sad saying goodbye to Downton’

Phyllis Logan on her new role, the hit show’s finale and keeping the spark alive

- VICKI POWER

After 15 years of wearing a drab black dress as Downton Abbey’s housekeeper Mrs Hughes, Phyllis Logan does a total turnaround for her next big role, in Channel 5’s Murder Most Puzzling. She’s ensconced in flowery kimonos and bright orange earrings to play a famous crossword-puzzle writer, Cora Felton.

Landing a lead role is overdue for Phyllis, and comes at a time when middle-aged actresses are enjoying a run of lead roles, particularly as crime-busters. ‘There’s Lesley Manville in Moonflower Murders and Samantha Bond in The Marlow Murder Club,’ Phyllis points out. ‘So I was delighted to be in that crowd.’

Phyllis certainly has a supportive team behind her: ‘I’ve got my son, my stepdaughter and my husband, who are all very important in my life.’ Phyllis has been married since 2011 to Pirates of the Caribbean actor Kevin McNally, whom she met in 1994. Their son, David, is 28, and Kevin's daughter, Rachel, is from a previous relationship. Phyllis likes to get Kevin’s view before accepting a role. ‘I got my husband to read the script for Murder Most Puzzling because I always like to get his opinion,’ says Phyllis. ‘He commented on how great the script was and what a wonderful part Cora is, and I felt the same.’

Being in-demand actors means that Phyllis and Kevin have often had to work apart, sometimes for months at a time. How have they kept the magic alive? ‘He maintains that’s why it’s still on the go – because absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ quips Phyllis. ‘Actually, it’s really nice because if he’s away, if I'm away, we try to get to see each other.’

Phyllis’ career had been going well when