‘I’ll do the Downton Abbey film!’

Feisty Shirley MacLaine, 83, plays tough cookie Harriet in her new movie, The Last Word. The veteran actress, who played Martha Levinson – mother of Lady Cora Crawley – in Downton Abbey, is also sister to actor Warren Beatty.

What drew you to this role?

I just loved the character. She represents women born in the 30s, like me, when it was becoming possible that women could lead corporations.

Do you see yourself in Harriet?

Parts of me. She was the closest to Aurora Greenway [her role in 1983 film Terms Of Endearment]. She’s still my favourite character.

Did you and co-star Amanda Seyfried become friends?

We had a fantastic time! We’re very good friends now. I was so happy to learn that she got pregnant on the movie. I feel like a bit of a godmother to her baby. We speak regularly.

Which young actress do you admire most in the industry?

I identify with the outspokenness of Jennifer Lawrence. She has no filter, like me. And she’s talented.

Your love life has always been a source of fascination!

Yes! And it wouldn’t matter to me whether I was having a relationship with a Prime Minister or my latest driver – there was always so much to learn. You begin to understand what makes men tick.

Has romance changed?

Well, these days, what I really need from a man more than anything is humour.

Has your brother, Warren, recovered from the Oscars mix-up this year (he read out the wrong Best Picture)?

Oh, boy! I’ve always protected Warren, but was I going to run up on stage and try to save him? No!

Are you on board for the Downton movie?

I’ll do it, absolutely. Despite all my films, I’m known as ‘the woman from

Downton’! I don’t mind at all. I adored the experience.

The Last Word

is in cinemas now