Kate Beckinsale’s "favourite thing" is comedy.
The 43-year-old actress is known for her work in action movies such as the ‘Underworld’ franchise and ‘Total Recall’, but jumped at the chance to portray a light-hearted role in ‘Love and Friendship’ – which is based on Jane Austin’s ‘Lady Susan’ – because it is something she is "actually good" at.
Asked if it was nice to indulge in her comedic side, she said: "It is because it’s my favourite thing really, it’s something I’m actually good at. The sort of things that I find funny and the comedy I like, they’re not written that often. I like witty, dry comedies – I love Noël Coward for example."
The British star – who lives in Los Angeles with her 17-year-old daughter Lily, whose father is Michael Sheen – insists action films are not her "whole thing" and she is excited about what the future holds for her career.
She said: "[My career now] feels really exciting because it feels more reflective of my sensibility. I’ve spent so much time doing action movies or being at home that I think people think that’s my whole thing and it really isn’t.
"I’m writing a screenplay with another British writer who went to the same school as me and is also the only other person in LA who doesn’t know how to drive! I was really into writing as a young person and then got very tied up with acting and bringing up Lily, so it’s a nice moment to inherit some of the things that had to by necessity go on hold."
And Kate admitted she is glad to have something to keep her busy because of the "terror" she feels at the thought of Lily starting university.
She added to Stylist magazine: "And it softens the terror of feeling, ‘Oh my God, my baby’s going to go to college’. Because that is true, but it’s also true that it’s biologically imperative that she does otherwise she turns into a complete eejit. It’s a great moment for me to become my own woman."
Kate Beckinsale loves comedy
