Elizabeth McGovern: I can't work the TV

Elizabeth McGovern needs her kids to help her turn on the TV.

The American actress plays Lady Cora in hit period drama Downton Abbey and proves that in real life she's also not up-to-date with the latest technology.

While she does occasionally venture into the world of tweeting, the 53-year-old generally steers clear of social media.

"I’m so bad with technology that I can’t turn on the TV without calling one of my kids to help," she laughed to Us Weekly magazine.

"I try to tweet, but I’m a lousy tweeter. I can’t really do Facebook either."

Elizabeth made the confessions as part of the publication's 25 Things you Don't Know About Me feature.

Also on the list is her love for Girls creator Lena Dunham and how she no longer has time for reading these days.

Elizabeth also opened up about her family.

"My grandfather William McGovern was an explorer, a Buddhist monk and a teacher, among other things. He was the first white man to enter Lhasa.

"My brother, Monty, got 100 per cent of his SAT questions right, and he has perfect pitch.

"My daughter Grace and I are Taylor Swift’s biggest fans," she added with a smile.

As well as her Downton duties, which recently saw her dance with George Clooney for a special charity episode, Elizabeth is also a skilled musician and writer.

Her band Sadie and the Hotheads have been performing together for the last decade and recently completed a US tour.

"I feel that I’ve lived the luckiest, most blessed life imaginable, and I am grateful every day for it," she gushed.