Julian Fellowes has insisted he is a feminist after previously dismissing the title and claims his writing proves it.

Julian Fellowes

Julian Fellowes

The 70-year-old screenwriter has been reluctant to refer to himself as a feminist in the past, but he thinks his writing of strong female characters in 'Downton Abbey' and new period drama 'Belgravia' proves it.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, he said: "I think I am a feminist in any real way, because I believe in strong women, I enjoy strong women,

"I write them, I like watching them. I've grown up with them and I've married one. So, in the end, a feminist is someone who believes men and women should both be able to live lives to the max of their potential."

Julian's comments come after Alice Eve - who plays Susan Trenchard in ITV show 'Belgravia - previously dubbed him a "feminist".

She said: "I think he's a feminist, but he's never said it out loud. I think ... he definitely is a feminist and I think, as woman you read scenes often and you think, 'Oh well, you wouldn't really say that', or, 'nobody loves their husband that much' or you know, there's always something that would be played out differently.

"But with Julian, every scene, you think, 'Right, that's absolutely right.' He covers all the corners, all the feelings, all the potentials, and so that was - I was just thrilled to be asked [to be in the show]."

Agreeing with the actress, Julian has vowed to keep writing strong female characters and stories that resonate with the women watching.

Asked whether he sets out to write female stories, he said: "I think what's important is to tell the public we didn't invent strong women, they have been here since they were fighting the Romans and sometimes you can forget that. But in the past, people had to overcome a lot more difficulties and they are to be saluted for that - that if you had ambitions and you wanted to achieve something, it was tougher, much tougher, and so for those women that managed it..."

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