IN ANOTHER OSCAR-TIPPED ROLE CAREY MULLIGAN ON THE 'IMPOSSIBLY HIGH BAR' SET BY 'MAESTRO'

Carey Mulligan has much to welcomed her third child with her musician husband Marcus Mumford, but she's also receiving glowing reviews for her role in an eagerly anticipated biopic.

- KATIE ELLIS

Maestro follows the story of US composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, played by Bradley Cooper, and his marriage to Carey's character, Costa Rica-born actress Felicia Montealegre.

Although the film is co-written and directed by Bradley, he gives top billing to his British leading lady, who is already being tipped for Oscar success for what looks like a career-defining moment.

"It completely changed me as an actor," says Carey, 38. "I've never been all-in on a film like this before.

"Bradley asked me to totally commit in a way I really hadn't before and it turned out to be the best experience I've ever had as an actor. I fell in love with acting and film even more because of the experience of making this film."

Bradley, who made his directing debut with 2018's A Star is Born, signed Carey up for the role of Felicia four years before filming began, after seeing her in an off-Broadway play.

"He'd already been working on it for two years," she says. "I saw how much passion and dedication he had for telling this story."