Julian Fellowes was a late developer in the film world. The 56-year-old had enjoyed a steady career as an actor before his script for Robert Altman's Gosford Park brought him Oscar glory and a slew of opportunities. As well as writing an adaptation of Vanity Fair for Reese Witherspoon, he's fronted his own TV show and is now making his debut as a director in the accomplished drama Separate Lies, in which Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson and Rupert Everett deal with a fatal accident which has repercussions for all of them.

WATCH: Julian Fellowes on the origins of Separate Lies

WATCH: Julian reveals how he came to direct Separate Lies, and what he learned from working with Robert Altman

WATCH: Julian on why he cast Rupert Everett, and what disappointed him about some US critics' response

WATCH: Julian on why he's an actor's director, and why some directors used to infuriate him

WATCH: Julian on his plans to team up with Martin Scorsese, and why he's not been asked to write about Japanese miners

Separate Lies is released in UK cinemas on Friday 18th November 2005.