Jessica Brown Findlay, who played the late Lady Sibyl on PBS’ beloved series Downton Abbey, only has one big regret in her career. In her first film, 2011’s Albatross, the actress appeared topless, an act which she attributes to “naivety and not knowing that I could say no.”
In an interview from The NY Daily News, Findlay admitted, “I had no idea what was going to happen and I thought I was going to be shot from behind.”
However, she still went on to receive fame for her role on Downton Abbey. In a shocking move to most people, Findlay decided to leave the series last season. “I was unsure about signing away another year,” she said. “Leaving terrified me, and that’s what made me want to do it. Being afraid and going into the unknown excites me, and what scared me was to keep going and then one day discover it was all I could do and wish I had pushed myself more. I’d prefer to fail and fall flat on my face.”
Her character was killed off during childbirth, preventing the likelihood that Findlay would reappear on the show in a future season. But she doesn’t regret her decision stating, “Hollywood is not for me. I love acting, but I also love London.”
One thing is certain—whatever project she takes on next, there will be no nude scenes.
“I think if you’re going to do a nude scene, be honest and natural,” she said. “Otherwise I’d be starving myself for ever, which I just couldn’t do!”
