She is starring as Broadway star Margo Channing who begins to lose out on roles to her younger rival Eve Carrington (Lily James) in the West End's All About Eve.

And Gillian Anderson candidly reflected on how her latest role struck a chord with her because she feared she would be 'forgotten' as she aged.

The actress, 50, said ageing was 'completely traumatic' as she mourned the death of her youth in a recent interview with British VOGUE magazine.

'There is a fear you'll be forgotten': Gillian Anderson, 50, reflected on MOURNING her youth during 'traumatic' ageing process as she shared her fears of becoming 'invisible'

She told the publication: 'There’s a sense of being forgotten as you age, of becoming invisible when your currency has no value anymore.

'If you watch yourself on film, there is a certain point you see yourself…change. It’s arresting. It can either be completely traumatic or something that instigates a shift of consciousness towards thinking about what’s important.

'But you have to go through that trauma first, to mourn.'

In her role: She is starring as Broadway star Margo Channing who begins to lose out on roles to her younger rival Eve Carrington (Lily James) in the West End's All About Eve

Youthful: Gillian's role hit a nerve with her because her character Margo begins to fade into the background as new rising star Eve (Lily James, pictured) takes on the parts she would have got

Gillian's role hit a nerve with her because her character Margo begins to fade into the background as new rising star Eve takes on the parts she would have got.

The X Files star has big shoes to fill as she takes over from screen legend Davis, while Lily's role was played by Anne Baxter in the original film.

See the full feature in the March issue of British Vogue, available on digital download and newsstands now. www.vogue.co.uk

All About Eve received a total of 14 Academy Award nominations, winning six Oscars in total including Best Film, and remains the only film in history to receive four female acting nods.

Directed and written by Belgian experimental artist van Hove, the play features music by PJ Harvey, set and lighting by Jan Versweyveld, costume design by An D’Huys and sound design from Tom Gibbons.

Completing the cast in the highly anticipated production are Monica Dolan, Ian Drysdale, Tsion Habte, Jessie Mei Li, Julian Ovenden, Sheila Reid, Rhashan Stone, Stanley Townsend and Philip Voyzey.

News of Gillian's casting was reported by the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye last year.

It was claimed Cate Blanchett had originally been chosen for the role, but was forced to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts.

Gillian last appeared on the West End in 2014, playing Blanche DuBois in Young Vic production of A Streetcar Named Desire.

The role earned her the best actress accolade at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

See the full feature in the March issue of British Vogue, available on digital download and newsstands now. www.vogue.co.uk