MOST aspiring actors

can only dream of landing a role in a starstudded TV s eries written by Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes. But emerging thesp Cressida Bonas (right), ex-girlfriend of Prince Harry, has found that luck — and lineage — are on her side.

‘We’ve been filming Doctor Thorne f or about two-and-a-half weeks. We’re really getting into it and I’m really pleased,’ Fellowes t ell s me at Maggie’s Party at LAPADA.

Confirming that Cressida, 26, will play the role of Patience Oriel in his Anthony Trollope adaptation, he adds: ‘I know Cressida’s mother Mary very well — I’ve known her for a very long time, since always. Really, I know her as Mary Gaye’s daughter.’

Nepotism aside, at least Cressida is delivering the goods. ‘She’s nice, and I think she’s good and I wish her luck,’ Fellowes adds.