What drew you to the role of Lady Catherine de Bourgh?

It’s a relatively small part, however the writing of the script was just dazzling. Guy Andrews is incredibly clever. Lost in Austen is a really imaginative leap and it was a great chance to do something bold. At the time, I said that I didn’t know how to play the character but that I definitely wanted to be in it.

How would you describe Lady Catherine de Bourgh?

Lady Catherine de Bourgh symbolises the status quo in society and it’s in her interest to maintain that. She’s a highly intelligent women and a political animal with power, influence, and land.

What is the relationship between Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mr Darcy?

Mr Darcy is absolutely part of the plan because there’s blood and Mr Darcy needs to be positioned properly in order for the plan to go accordingly through the generations. Lady Catherine is watchful of him, but I would like to think that she has a genuine affection for him.

What influence does Lady Catherine de Bourgh have over Mr Collins?

Mr Collins is just her poodle, he owes her a living. Her financial clout and her ability to give other people a living means the influence of someone like Lady Catherine is enormous. She runs the whole establishment making sure the right people marry, so nothing untoward is going to happen in terms of breeding.

How does Lady Catherine de Bourgh feel about Amanda Price?

Lady Catherine is so used to her own power that she feels she has to go into action when Amanda Price arrives. She’s got to take the necessary measures to identify, label and deal with Amanda.

What is Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s opinion of Mr and Mr Bennet?

They are beneath contempt, hopeless and unmanageable people, with no idea of how to behave.

With it being such an established story, how do you feel the audience will reacted to it?

All I can say is that I wanted to be in it, and as a viewer I would want to see this. To me Amanda Price walks in to the world we think we’ve walked into every time we’ve turned the page in the novel.

Did you enjoy working with Jemima Rooper?

She was fantastic. I remember being at the read-through, looking at her and thinking she was born to play the part of Amanda Price. Jemima raised the level bringing an energy that really excited everyone in the room.

What’s next for you after Lost in Austen?

I’m currently filming Margaret for BBC 2 in which I play Margaret Thatcher.