Whether you loved it, hated it, or have no intention of ever reading it, there’s no denying that the Fifty Shades trilogy has been one of the most successful book franchises ever – so, naturally, the film adaptations have proven popular, too.

For a long time, many studio executives worried this wouldn’t be the case. You may remember that the future of the movies was thrown into doubt by lacklustre reviews after the release of the first Fifty Shades film – despite the fact that it had a phenomenal opening weekend, and broke box office records everywhere.

Jamie Dornan was rumoured to be unhappy with the critical panning received by Fifty Shades of Grey, director Sam Taylor-Johnson quit the franchise in March 2015, and then there were the allegations of a lack of chemistry between Dornan and Dakota Johnson.

Fans needn’t have worried, though: Fifty Shades Darker went ahead as planned – and now the third and final installment, Fifty Shades Freed, is scheduled for a hugely-anticipated release on Valentine’s Day this year.

And now Dakota Johnson – who plays Ana Steele in the movies – has candidly spoken to an Australian publication about her role and how the sudden success has impacted her personal life.

“Through the success of the [first Fifty Shades] film I had to figure out how to balance my work and my life,” she admits.

“I felt vulnerable, physically and emotionally, and then dealing with the massive success, which could have been a very invasive and scary moment. I learned how to compartmentalise it.

“I have had to remind myself that I do have a lot more [roles] to do.”

Dakota Johnson explains why Fifty Shades left her “vulnerable, physically and emotionally”