Hugh Bonneville still can't believe his luck at landing a leading role in 'Downton Abbey'. The 48-year-old actor - who previously starred in 'Notting Hill' alongside Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts - plays the Earl of Grantham in the ITV1 period drama, but admitted the success of the show still takes him by surprise. He told Reader's Digest magazine: "I'm one of the luckiest actors I know. I never thought for a second that I'd be in TV shows or in films, so when 'Notting Hill' came along, that was an eyeopener. "That put me in front of a bigger audience and opened doors. Now, with 'Downton', it's a whole different thing. People's expectations and affection for the show have been remarkable. I feel very lucky about my success - and excited that it allows me to do other things too." Hugh has also guest starred in an episode of 'Doctor Who' but he can't see himself taking over the role of the Time Lord full-time when current star Matt Smith eventually quits. He said: "I don't think I've got the energy of someone like Matt, but I absolutely loved doing the show. The moment I arrived on the set, the director said, 'I know exactly what you want to do.' "I nodded my head and they took me along this long corridor - and there was the Tardis. Seeing it was a childhood dream come true." Read the full interview with Hugh Bonneville in the February issue of Reader's Digest, in shops January 27. For print and online syndication of Reader's Digest celebrity interviews and features, please contact the magazine's consumer publicity team at: info@markcollinspr.com