The actress weighs in on playing Ava Gardner, how she became a playwright and why the cast was 'frightened' to film 'Downton ...

Here, McGovern shares the books and plays that helped her to tell Gardner’s story as it had never been told before. James ...

Who knew Cora Crawley, Duchess of Grantham, had such a potty mouth? Well, kind of. Right now, starring as Hollywood icon Ava ...

Elizabeth McGovern must have felt the same way as a lovely, ambitious, aspiring newcomer eager to make her own mark on the ...

McGovern’s got a sadder and sweeter aura than Gardner, or at least than the constructed fatale character that Hollywood cast ...

Broadway play and cast herself against type as Ava Gardner, re-creating that Hollywood performer’s late-in-life meetings with journalist Peter Evans.

It’s not hard to see why Ms. McGovern was drawn to Gardner’s story. The playwright and leading lady’s dark-haired, ivory-skinned beauty recalls her subject somewhat, though Ms. McGovern, who is now in ...

Elizabeth McGovern, known for her role in "Downton Abbey," has written a play about Ava Gardner. The play, titled "Ava: The Secret Conversations," explores Gardner's relationship with journalist ...

Elizabeth McGovern, known for her role in "Downton Abbey," has written a play about Ava Gardner.

McGovern says Gardner was caught in the impossibility of women's expectations at the time — be sexy but not sleep around. She had many lovers but also felt the shame society imposed.

McGovern says Gardner was caught in the impossibility of women's expectations at the time — be sexy but not sleep around. She had many lovers but also felt the shame society imposed.