VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Carey Mulligan gets stuck in with sheep cleaning as Thomas Hardy's heroine Bathsheba Everdene in Far From The Madding Crowd

By Lucy Mapstone for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

Carey Mulligan is known for her adaptability when it comes to movie roles.

And the British actress has shown off another facet in her skilled repertoire... as a sheep cleaner.

In a brand new clip from new film Far From The Madding Crowd, the 29-year-old gets stuck in in a hands-on scene which involves rinsing off the woolly farm animals.

Period drama role: Carey Mulligan appears as Bathsheba Everdene in the new movie adaptation of Thomas Hardy's iconic novel Far From The Madding Crowd

Period drama role: Carey Mulligan appears as Bathsheba Everdene in the new movie adaptation of Thomas Hardy's iconic novel Far From The Madding Crowd

The film - released in UK cinemas on May 1 - is the big-screen adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic, and sees the award-winning actress take on the role of the independent and beautiful leading lady Bathsheba Everdene.

The story tells the tale of Bathsheba, who attracts the attention of three very different suitors.

One is dashing shepherd Gabriel Oak, played by Matthias Schoenaerts - seen in the preview clip alongside Carey.

Have a go! In the new clip for the film, Bathsheba speaks to one of her suitors, as he tempts her in to help with sheep cleaning

Have a go! In the new clip for the film, Bathsheba speaks to one of her suitors, as he tempts her in to help with sheep cleaning

The good shepherd: Matthias Schoenaerts plays sheep farmer Gabriel Oak in the new movie remake of the classic novel

The good shepherd: Matthias Schoenaerts plays sheep farmer Gabriel Oak in the new movie remake of the classic novel

The second is Frank Troy, a handsome and reckless Sergeant played by Tom Sturridge, and the third is William Boldwood, a prosperous, mature bachelor, brought to life by Michael Sheen.

The story, set in Hardy's rural Wessex, follows Bathsheba and the tough decisions she has to make while exploring relationships and love, as well as enduring some harder times through resilience and perseverance. 

Each of her potential partners has a different way in which to try to win her affections, which gives her insight into their unique and very varied characters. 

And, in the preview clip for the period drama, set in in the 19th century, Carey's Bathsheba is calm and collected as she steps into the sheep dip to give the handsome Gabriel a hand.

Getting stuck in: The independent Miss Everdene is cool, calm and collected as she plunges into the water fully-clothed

Getting stuck in: The independent Miss Everdene is cool, calm and collected as she plunges into the water fully-clothed

Shock and awe: Meanwhile, onlookers at the market are surprised by her bold actions 

Shock and awe: Meanwhile, onlookers at the market are surprised by her bold actions 

Can't hide it: The 29-year-old actress proves she suits period drama roles as much as any other... but her character doesn't quite enjoy the sheep cleaning process

Can't hide it: The 29-year-old actress proves she suits period drama roles as much as any other... but her character doesn't quite enjoy the sheep cleaning process

A crowd watches on in shock as she takes the plunge in her full skirt, and a romantically tense scene plays out between the potential couple.

This isn't the first time Hardy's iconic fourth novel has been turned into a film: it was previously developed for the silver screen in 1967.

The original movie version saw Julie Christie star as Bathsheba, with Terence Stamp as Frank Troy, Peter Finch as William Boldwood and Alan Bates as Gabriel Oak.

Big shoes to fill: Carey follows in the footsteps of the legendary Julie Christie, who played Bathsheba Everdene in the 1967 Far From The Madding Crowd film

Big shoes to fill: Carey follows in the footsteps of the legendary Julie Christie, who played Bathsheba Everdene in the 1967 Far From The Madding Crowd film

Splashing about: In the scene, it all got a bit romantically charged with Gabriel Oak, one of three suitors vying for Bathsheba's attention

Splashing about: In the scene, it all got a bit romantically charged with Gabriel Oak, one of three suitors vying for Bathsheba's attention

But fans of the literary masterpiece are excited for this fresh new version, directed by Oscar-nominee Thomas Vinterberg, which has been a long time in the making: Carey was first seen filming scenes for the film back in 2013.

The script was written by the bestselling novelist David Nicholls, who adapted Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles which starred Gemma Arterton and Eddie Redmayne for the BBC in 2008, as well as another Victorian classic, Great Expectations, in 2012. 

Far From The Madding Crowd is released in UK cinemas on Friday May 1.

Iconic role: Carey started filming her role as Hardy's heroine back in 2013 - the film is a long time coming

Iconic role: Carey started filming her role as Hardy's heroine back in 2013 - the film is a long time coming

Emotionally charged: Bathsheba has to deal with the affections of the three very different men, played by Matthias Schoenaerts (above), Michael Sheen and Tom Sturridge

Emotionally charged: Bathsheba has to deal with the affections of the three very different men, played by Matthias Schoenaerts (above), Michael Sheen and Tom Sturridge

Carey Mulligan

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