HAYLEY ATWELL

The British actress, 36, who spun her Captain America role as fan-favorite Peggy Carter into its own TV series, now stars as Margaret Schlegel opposite Matthew Macfadyen’s Henry Wilcox in Starz’s series Howards

End (April 8). Based on the classic E.M. Forster novel about class distinctions, it’s the tale of two independent, unconventional sisters in England at the beginning of the 20th century.

Do the themes of Howards End still resonate?

Absolutely. It felt distinctly modern when we were doing it, not just because of the relationship between the two sisters being warm and playful and full of contradictions and squabbles, but also the idea of class, particularly in England, and the lack of equality in the world.

It’s also a love story between Margaret and Henry.

I think what makes Margaret remarkable is when [her sister] says about Henry Wilcox, “I don’t know why you would like someone like that; he represents all the things that the Schlegels despise,” Margaret says she sees something fine in Henry; she’ll accept him on his own terms. I think as a result of that, it’s a very mature relationship, not one that’s just built on romance or physical desire. It’s built on a mutual respect for the differences between each other.

You were born in the U.K. but your father’s American.

I spent my summers in Kansas City [Mo.] looking at lightning bugs, riding four-wheel bikes through fields of hay and eating Kansas City barbecue. It was wonderful because my ancestors are from Kansas City, so I got to learn a lot about my heritage. I feel very proud to be halfAmerican, and I’m close to my grandmother there.