From battling sexist casting to hobnobbing with Hollywood megacelebs, The Bodyguard star’s had a stellar career. She talks about ripping up the rulebook, her new Jane Austen drama – and what she loves about Jeremy Clarkson

Keeley Hawes is reminiscing about hanging out with Harrison Ford at the Emmys. “I said hello, as you do, and we ended up having a little chat. He was just lovely. I said: ‘I’m a big fan of your beautiful wife [Ally McBeal star Calista Flockhart] as well.’ His face lit up at the mention of her. She was nearby and he looked at her lovingly, then turned back to me and said: ‘What a wife. What a life.’ I just melted.”

Hawes attended the Hollywood bash with her husband Matthew Macfadyen, who took home the outstanding supporting actor gong for his mighty turn as Tom Wambsgans in Succession. “Going with Matthew was the way to experience it,” she says. “If you’re ever lucky enough to be nominated for an award yourself, you get so nervous that it’s not very enjoyable. Here, I could get dressed up in a big frock, people-watch and have a fantastic time without any of the worry. It was a whirlwind of glitter and fabulousness … and Matthew won. What’s not to love? Often these things aren’t as glamorous as they look. That one really was.”