'Downton Abbey's' Laura Carmichael on Shirley MacLaine, Lady Edith's first kiss and more

By Andrea Reiher

February 6, 2012 1:54 PM ET

One of Lady Edith's big Season 2 storylines was her involvement at the Drake family farm, where she drove the tractor and was briefly involved with Mr. Drake. Carmichael says of that storyline, "Well, let's face it that was Edith's first kiss. The first man to call her beautiful and 'fine.' She was away from her family and everyone who knows her and I think it was very liberating. Just too tempting!"

The Downton family is about to start production on Season 3, which we already know features Oscar-winner Shirley MacLaine as Lady Cora's American mother, making her Lady Edith's other grandmother. Just how excited is Carmichael about MacLaine joining the cast?

"VERY EXCITED! I'm sure we all going to be terribly star-struck to begin with! I can't wait to see what Julian has in store," says Carmichael. She also says they start filming next week.

We're very excited too, Lady Edith. "Downton Abbey" airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on PBS. If you'd like to join in the last chat of Season 2, PBS is hosting Allen Leech (Branson) on Monday, Feb. 13.

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Photo/Video credit: PBS