Downton Abbey's Lady Mary Crawley and Tom Branson aren't to have a romance, Michelle Dockery has insisted.
Fans have speculated the grieving pair - who both lost their respective partners in the third series - may find comfort in each other, but the 32-year-old actress is adamant her alter-ego won't fall for her brother-in-law.
Mary's husband Matthew Crawley perished in a fatal car crash in the Christmas 2012 special, while her sister Lady Sybil - Tom's wife - died during childbirth earlier in the same series.
Michelle told The Sun newspaper: "Mary and Tom's friendship has really grown. They are both looking for love - just not with each other."
The Emmy-nominated actress believes her character has found her independence since her husband's death and will be more assertive than ever in the upcoming fifth series.
She explained: "Mary is embracing her new life, she has grown up. In the first series, she was this very young, spoilt girl with everyone telling her what to do and her trying to break free of that.
"But now she is a woman and a mother. She is old enough to make her own decisions."
While the hit show is full of high drama, the mood off-set is far more relaxed.
Michelle added: "We're always laughing - sometimes it's hard for us to keep a straight face."
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