Lord Julian Fellowes is an actor, novelist, screenwriter, producer, film director, and Conservative peer. Born in Cairo in 1949, he grew up in London and Sussex, where his neighbour David Kingsley, head of British Lion Films, encouraged him to consider a career in film. Fellowes initially pursued acting but found greater success as a writer, penning screenplays such as Gosford Park, The Young Victoria, and The Tourist, before moving into television with Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age. He read English literature at Cambridge and was a member of Footlights.
++ Why Losing Weight Is So Hard to Maintain
Reflecting on his early life, Fellowes fondly recalls holidays on Caldey Island in Wales, describing them as a “childhood from the 1930s” filled with beaches, picnics, and dogs. He credits his childhood reading, particularly Mary Poppins, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights, as formative influences. Fellowes also highlights memorable acting roles, including his performances in Aristocrats and Monarch of the Glen, where he first experienced the audience’s response to relatable characters.
Fellowes’ writing achievements are equally notable. He directed and wrote Separate Lies, a film exploring moral dilemmas and self-knowledge, which won him the British Newcomer of the Year Award from the National Board of Review in 2005. He describes Downton Abbey as a “magic carpet ride”, appreciating the audience’s engagement with the characters and their passionate responses. Winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Gosford Park in 2002 remains a career highlight, alongside encounters with stars such as Brad Pitt, whom he found remarkably grounded despite his fame.
++ Warwick Davis returns to Hogwarts in new Harry Potter TV series
While Fellowes has enjoyed successes, he is candid about challenges. Childhood misadventures, personal habits, and professional missteps, such as poorly aligned scripts, have taught him resilience. He notes the disadvantages of fame, including intrusive comments about his appearance, yet maintains a grounded perspective, emphasising the importance of taking pride in work he can stand by. Fellowes’ reflections reveal a career shaped by creativity, discipline, and an appreciation for both the triumphs and trials of life in the arts.
