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Downton Abbey series four has started shooting and the first pictures from the set feature the cast filming the funeral of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens).
Matthew was dramatically killed off in the Christmas special episode after actor Stevens decided to quit the period drama.
The first pictures from series four show Dame Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggatt and Brendan Coyle dressed in black to mourn the loss of Lady Mary's (Michelle Dockery) husband.
There is also a snap of Matthew's headstone in the graveyard.
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Downton Abbey producer Gareth Neame recently revealed that he expected Mary to form a "more mature" relationship with a new male character in future episodes.
"She's an eligible young widow. So we shall see," he said.
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© Rex Features / Joan Wakeham
Matthew Crawley's headstone
Meanwhile, recent UK tabloid reports have suggested that the fourth series may feature the first black character on the show and that there may be a race relations storyline.
Downton Abbey series four will air in the autumn on ITV. It will air in the US on PBS in 2014.
Siobhan Finneran is the latest star to confirm that they are leaving Downton Abbey.
Speaking at the launch of BBC One's second series of The Syndicate, Finneran revealed that she would not be returning as scheming maid Miss O'Brien.
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© ITV
Siobhan Finneran as O'Brien
A rep for the ITV series has confirmed the departure, but said that the character would not be killed off and could potentially return.
Jessica Brown Findlay and Dan Stevens departed the hit period drama during its recent third series.
Julian Fellowes's show has just started filming series four and early pictures from the set feature the characters in mourning for Stevens's character Matthew Crawley, who was dramatically killed off in the 2012 Christmas special.
Tom Cullen has joined the cast of the fourth series of Downton Abbey.
According to TV Line, the Welsh actor will act as a new love interest for Lady Mary, after her husband Matthew Crawley was seemingly killed during the series's 2012 Christmas special.
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Tom Cullen
Cullen will play Lord Gillingham, an old friend of the Crawley family.
Dame Harriet Walters will also appear during the new run playing an old friend of Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess, while former EastEnders star Nigel Harman will also join as a visiting valet named Green.
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Earlier today (March 2) Siobhan Finneran announced that she is quitting her role as scheming maid Miss O'Brien in the show.
Jessica Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil, and Matthew Crawley actor Dan Stevens also left the show during its third series.
tammyy2j
03-03-2013, 22:56
Nigel Harman will also join as a visiting valet named Green
:cheer::heart::)
I hate though that they are giving Mary another love interest so soon but I guess they know that the romance factor is a big part for their audience
I think it's gone a bit to romantic, it's sad that siobhan finneran is not returning, she was fantastic. She played the nasty part really well. I think she is a great actress though. Love her in everything she's in.
The fourth series of Downton Abbey started filming last week and rumours and official updates about cast exits and cast newcomers have started circulating online.
Digital Spy wants to calm your nerves and keep you up to date on the comings and goings at Downton, so keep reading for our list of confirmed exits, new faces and returning old favourites.
Siobhan Finneran: The scheming lady's maid Sarah O'Brien will not be back in series four. Fans of O'Brien can cling onto the news that she will not be killed off and that the door is open for her to return at a later date.
Dan Stevens: It wasn't a bad dream. There is no miracle cure. This is not a drill. Dan Stevens's Matthew Crawley really was a goner in the Christmas episode and Lady Mary is going to be wearing a lot of black and open to new love interests in series four.
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© WENN
Tom Cullen
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© PA Images / Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Nigel Harman
In!
Tom Cullen: One man who may raise a smile for Lady Mary is old Grantham family friend Lord Gillingham, played by the dashing Mr Cullen. He will apparently make his debut on the show at a party organised to lift Mary's spirits.
In!
Nigel Harman: The ex-EastEnders star will be joining the fun and games downstairs at the Abbey, cast as a "charismatic" new valet named Green. How will he fit in with Carson, Bates and Thomas? You'll have to wait and see.
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© Rex Features / David Fisher
Julian Ovenden
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© PA Images / Mark J. Terrill/AP
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
In!
Julian Ovenden: Another possible new suitor for Mary! Very little has been revealed about the actor's role, we're merely told that he will play "dashing aristocrat" Charles Blake.
In!
Kiri Te Kanawa: A rare TV appearance from the New Zealand-born soprano, whom will give a special performance at a Downton party.
Returning!
Maggie Smith: Fear not, fans of a good old-fashioned zinger from the Dowager Countess, Dame Maggie has already been seen on set filming the first few scenes for series four - hurrah!
Returning!
Shirley MacLaine: Another hurrah! The veteran actress will reprise her role as Martha Levinson for the fourth series. Fingers crossed it's for more than a cameo.
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© Rex Features / David Hartley
Joanna David
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© Rex Features / Alan Simpson
Harriet Walter
In!
Harriet Walter: Another sparring partner for Dame Maggie's Dowager. Harriet will play Lady Shackleton, an "old school chum" of the Dowager. She is apparently a "force to be reckoned with" who can go toe to toe with her old friend. Let the explosions commence!
In!
Joanna David: The mother of Emilia Fox is cast as another new guest in Downton - the Duchess of Yeovil.
Downton Abbey returns in the autumn on ITV. The fourth run will air in the US on PBS in early 2014.
Downton Abbey star Allen Leech has ruled out a romance between Branson and Lady Mary.
Series three of the hit period drama saw Branson (Leech) lose his wife Lady Sybil, while Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) found herself widowed in the show's 2012 Christmas special.
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"While it would be great for drama, I don't think it would be right for those two [to get together]," the actor told TV Guide.
"As much as they respect each other, they come from very different worlds."
Welsh actor Tom Cullen was recently cast on Downton Abbey - he will appear in the show's fourth series as Lord Gillingham, a potential new love interest for Mary.
Also joining the cast are former EastEnders star Nigel Harman and The Royal actor Julian Ovenden.
Downton Abbey will return to ITV1 in autumn 2013.
Jessica Brown Findlay has admitted that she was "terrified" to leave Downton Abbey.
Brown Findlay's character Lady Sybil was killed off in the hit period drama's third series, after the star opted not to renew her contract.
"I didn't want to fall into my comfort zone too much," she told the Radio Times. "I was unsure about signing away another year. Leaving me terrified, and that's what made me want to do it."
The 23-year-old actress will next be seen in Channel 4's Labyrinth, and was also linked to a role in Captain America movie sequel The Winter Soldier.
"Being afraid and going into the unknown excites me, and what scared me more was to keep going [on Downton] and then one day discover it was all I could do and wish I had pushed myself more," she explained. "I'd prefer to fail and fall flat on my face."
Downton Abbey - which also saw star Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) depart at Christmas - will return to ITV for a fourth series later this year.
Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville has revealed that he would consider a move to EastEnders if the period drama came to an end.
The actor, famous for his role as the Earl of Grantham, made a brief cameo appearance in the BBC One soap back in 1995 when he played a headmaster for a single episode.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: "I might go back. I am a jobbing actor and I will take whatever comes along, thank you very much. I would never say never.
"The actors who work in soaps are the hardest-working actors. The amount of material they have to learn is so much. It's phenomenal."
Bonneville's comments come after Downton writer Julian Fellowes cast doubt over the show's future after revealing he is penning a new drama series called The Gilded Age, which he hopes will be picked up by American network NBC.
"I honestly don't know how long Julian can go on with Downton – I don't know if there will be a fifth series," Bonneville added.
"I am sure the money men would like it to go on forever and ever because it does sell extremely well around the world.
"I hope Julian quits while he is ahead but he is a wise soul."
A fourth series of Downton Abbey was recently announced.
tammyy2j
28-03-2013, 16:15
Dan Stevens aka Matthew really has changed
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Carnival Films and ITV announce that Gary Carr (Death in Paradise, Bluestone 42), has joined the cast of the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama, Downton Abbey.
Carr will play a jazz singer called Jack Ross, a charming and charismatic young man. He joins new cast members Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Harman, Joanna David and Dame Harriet Walter who are all set to star in the fourth series.
Carnival Films’ Managing Director, Gareth Neame said, “We are delighted to introduce another fantastic, dynamic character to Downton Abbey. His addition will bring interesting twists to the drama which we can’t wait for viewers to see in Series 4”.
As well as filming an eight-part fourth series, Downton Abbey will return at Christmas 2013 with another feature length episode. The new series will see the return of Shirley MacLaine as Martha Levinson alongside series regulars Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Jim Carter.
In the UK, Series 3 of Downton Abbey continued to hit new ratings highs, and was the most watched drama of 2012, averaging 11.9 million consolidated viewers. Downton Abbey also broke records in the US recently with the Series 3 Season finale, by beating all broadcast and cable competition to become the highest rated show on American television that evening. The series, which aired on Masterpiece on PBS averaged11.5 million viewers, with the finale averaging 12.3 million viewers.
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parkerman
21-05-2013, 09:52
We've just signed up Cora aka Elizabeth McGovern and her band, Sadie and the Hotheads, to appear at the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton in October...
tammyy2j
24-06-2013, 15:57
Paul Giamatti is joining Season 4 cast as Harold Levinson, the maverick, playboy brother of Cora and uncle to Mary and Edith.
Hollywood star Paul Giamatti has been cast in the fourth series of Downton Abbey, it has been confirmed.
The Sideways actor will play Harold Levinson, the brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and the son of Martha (Shirley MacLaine).
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© PA Images / Andrew Medechini/AP
Giamatti's character is described as a "maverick playboy".
Carnival Films' managing director, Gareth Neame said: "We're excited that Paul Giamatti will be joining us on Downton to play Cora's brother Harold, the rather free-spirited uncle to Mary and Edith.
"We can't wait to see him work alongside Shirley Maclaine, who are both sure to upset the Grantham's apple cart in this year's Christmas Day episode."
Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Shirley MacLaine and Jim Carter will all return for the show's fourth run later this year.
They will be joined by new cast members Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Harman, Joanna David and Dame Harriet Walter.
Death in Paradise and Bluestone 42 actor Gary Carr has also joined the cast as a "charming and charismatic" jazz singer named Jack Ross.
Downton Abbey's exec producer has claimed that the show has benefited from Matthew Crawley's death.
The demise of Matthew (Dan Stevens) has added "dramatic rocket fuel" to the hit period drama's fourth series, Gareth Neame told The Wrap.
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"There's nothing better that could have happened than that twist," he said. "Mary Crawley's story is far more interesting now, and the dynamics of the show are far more interesting - that she has to rebuild her life."
Neame added that he has "no concerns" about continuing Downton without popular star Stevens, insisting that the actor's departure opened up "endless [story] possibilities".
"Drama has endless possibilities, and the thing that looks like the worst that can happen, if you look at it in a completely different way, you suddenly realise that it's the best thing that can happen to you," he said.
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© Rex Features / Joan Wakeham
Brendan Coyle filming on set for 'Downton Abbey'
Hollywood star Paul Giamatti was recently announced as a surprise addition to Downton Abbey's fourth series cast.
Brendan Coyle - who plays Bates on the series - recently told Digital Spy that the latest episodes, to air on ITV in late 2013, are the "best... ever".
Daisy Lewis will be joining the cast of Downton Abbey.
Lewis has been cast as the love interest for Allen Leech's widower Tom Branson.
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Daisy Lewis
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Daisy Lewis
The 28-year-old will be playing a governess to Branson's daugher, who helps the child and her father get over the shocking death of Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay).
The romance is expected to be one of major storylines for series four.
Former Holby City star Tom Chambers has claimed that he was turned down for a part in Downton Abbey because he wasn't posh enough.
The actor, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2008, revealed he auditioned to be Lady Mary Crawley's (Michelle Dockery) love interest but was turned down.
Speaking to What's On TV, he said: I was told I didn't have enough blue blood in me to join the series. It was disappointing but you have to be thick-skinned when things don't come your way."
Chambers, who is now starring in BBC drama Father Brown, said: "If I had got the job, I wouldn't have been able to do this, so it wasn't so bad in the end. I'm delighted to be joining such an exciting series."
Downton Abbey's fourth series begins on ITV in the autumn. It will air in the US on PBS in the New Year.
Downton Abbey's Lady Mary and Tom Branson will not become romantically involved in the fourth season of the costume soap, actress Michelle Dockery has revealed.
Speaking to the media as part of the Television Critics Association press tour in the US, the 31-year-old actress said of the bereaved characters, both single parents: "They are very much friends. They become close because of what they've been through."
However, she did admit that Lady Mary would have 'more than one' love interest in the next series.
The Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated star also said that she was signed up to the ITV period drama until the end of the fifth run.
Her character is set to get close to Tom, following the death of his wife Lady Sybil.
Daisy, 28, will play the live-in governess of Tom’s daughter, also called Sybil in memory of her tragic mum, played by Jessica Brown Findlay.
She will quickly strike up a *romance with the handsome Irishman, the family’s former chauffeur, played by Allen Leech.
A source said: “Daisy will become one of Downton’s most prominent characters. She wowed producers in her audition and they are delighted to have secured such a brilliant young actress.
“Her romance with Tom will be one of the main storylines of the series. He will begin to develop feelings for her and they start a secret affair.
"Tom will have an even bigger role in the new series after *becoming the estate manager of Downton.
"The writers know he is a very popular *character and the *viewers were gripped by Lady Sybil’s traumatic death.
“In the Christmas special one of the new maids tried to kiss Tom although, at the time, he wasn’t quite ready to move on.
“But viewers will see that’s all going to change in the new series.”
Daisy, who trained with the *National Youth Theatre, has previously made a guest appearance in Doctor Who *playing Javit and appeared alongside model Agyness Deyn as a drug-addict in the 2011 film Pusher.
The versatile actress has also *appeared in ITV’s Lewis and has written for the Sunday Telegraph as well as producing short films Snap Shot and The Door, starring Charles Dance.
She first met Downton creator Julian Fellowes when she appeared in the 2009 film From Time To Time which he directed.
Daisy is one of five new cast *members joining the period drama. Big name additions include Oscar-nominated actor Paul Giamatti as the playboy brother of Lady Cora, and opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa who will play a house guest.
Former EastEnder Nigel Harman is set to star as a visiting valet.
Death in Paradise and Bluestone 42 actor Gary Carr has also joined the cast as a “charming and charismatic” jazz singer named Jack Ross – the programme’s first black character.
Joanna Davis, Julian Ovenden, Tom Cullen, and Dame Harriet Walters have also been added to the line-up.
Shirley MacLaine will return to play Martha Levinson for the eight-part series and another Christmas feature-length episode is planned.
Several key cast members have quit the show since the end of the third series, including Dan Stevens who played Matthew Crawley and Siobhan Finneran as Downton’s vindictive housemaid O’Brien.
Speculation is rife that this could be the last series.
It has won nine Emmys, two Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the cast – but failed to be nominated for this year’s Baftas.
The fourth series of Downton Abbey starts in September on ITV1
Downton Abbey's Lady Mary and Tom Branson will not become romantically involved in the fourth season of the costume soap, actress Michelle Dockery has revealed.
Speaking to the media as part of the Television Critics Association press tour in the US, the 31-year-old actress said of the bereaved characters, both single parents: "They are very much friends. They become close because of what they've been through."
However, she did admit that Lady Mary would have 'more than one' love interest in the next series.
The Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated star also said that she was signed up to the ITV period drama until the end of the fifth run.
Her character is set to get close to Tom, following the death of his wife Lady Sybil.
Daisy, 28, will play the live-in governess of Tom’s daughter, also called Sybil in memory of her tragic mum, played by Jessica Brown Findlay.
She will quickly strike up a *romance with the handsome Irishman, the family’s former chauffeur, played by Allen Leech.
A source said: “Daisy will become one of Downton’s most prominent characters. She wowed producers in her audition and they are delighted to have secured such a brilliant young actress.
“Her romance with Tom will be one of the main storylines of the series. He will begin to develop feelings for her and they start a secret affair.
"Tom will have an even bigger role in the new series after *becoming the estate manager of Downton.
"The writers know he is a very popular *character and the *viewers were gripped by Lady Sybil’s traumatic death.
“In the Christmas special one of the new maids tried to kiss Tom although, at the time, he wasn’t quite ready to move on.
“But viewers will see that’s all going to change in the new series.”
Daisy, who trained with the *National Youth Theatre, has previously made a guest appearance in Doctor Who *playing Javit and appeared alongside model Agyness Deyn as a drug-addict in the 2011 film Pusher.
The versatile actress has also *appeared in ITV’s Lewis and has written for the Sunday Telegraph as well as producing short films Snap Shot and The Door, starring Charles Dance.
She first met Downton creator Julian Fellowes when she appeared in the 2009 film From Time To Time which he directed.
Daisy is one of five new cast *members joining the period drama. Big name additions include Oscar-nominated actor Paul Giamatti as the playboy brother of Lady Cora, and opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa who will play a house guest.
Former EastEnder Nigel Harman is set to star as a visiting valet.
Death in Paradise and Bluestone 42 actor Gary Carr has also joined the cast as a “charming and charismatic” jazz singer named Jack Ross – the programme’s first black character.
Joanna Davis, Julian Ovenden, Tom Cullen, and Dame Harriet Walters have also been added to the line-up.
Shirley MacLaine will return to play Martha Levinson for the eight-part series and another Christmas feature-length episode is planned.
Several key cast members have quit the show since the end of the third series, including Dan Stevens who played Matthew Crawley and Siobhan Finneran as Downton’s vindictive housemaid O’Brien.
Speculation is rife that this could be the last series.
It has won nine Emmys, two Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the cast – but failed to be nominated for this year’s Baftas.
The fourth series of Downton Abbey starts in September on ITV1
Despite the best efforts of ITV bosses to keep the details of Downton Abbey's new series a closely guarded secret, several key plot lines have already leaked out.
Julian Fellowes, the show's Oscar-winning creator, has already told The Mail on Sunday that recently widowed Lady Mary Crawley will take centre stage as she tries to make a new life for herself and baby George.
There is also speculation that widower Tom Branson, the Crawley family's former chauffeur who married Lady Sybil, will find love with the nanny hired to look after his daughter Sybbie.
Looking for love: Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) with George, and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) with Sybbie
The new series picks up a few months after the death of Lady Mary's husband Matthew, and spans the period from February 1922 until spring 1923.
The Crawley family and their servants will be seen embracing the hedonistic 1920s and the show will welcome its first black character in the shape of a jazz singer called Jack Ross.
More...Downton's twincredible double act: First 'interview' with show's new stars who demand Haribo sweets, milk at 7am on the dot and endless naps between takes
Fans have already seen photographs of Jack's character, who is played by Gary Carr, sharing a punt with the beautiful but rebellious Lady Rose MacClare, played by Lily James.
The residents of Downton will also be gearing themselves up for the return of the Countess of Grantham's formidable American mother Martha Levinson, played by Hollywood legend Shirley MacLaine.
There is also a guest appearance by opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa who will play a character required to sing for her supper.
The residents of Downton will be gearing themselves up for the return of the Countess of Grantham's formidable American mother Martha Levinson, played by Hollywood legend Shirley MacLaine
The first pictures of Downton Abbey's new male stars have been released, teasing some of the potential new love interests for Michelle Dockery's Lady Mary.
Julian Fellowes's period drama has expanded its cast for its upcoming fourth series and following the departure of Dan Stevens's Matthew Crawley in the 2012 Christmas special.
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Gary Carr as Jack Ross in 'Downton Abbey'
© ITV
Gary Carr as Jack Ross in 'Downton Abbey'
Gary Carr (Bluestone 42) has been cast as the first black character in the show, playing jazz singer Jack Ross.
Ross will impress Lady Mary, Lady Rose and Lady Rosamund with his musical talents, when they see him perform during a trip to London.
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Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham in 'Downton Abbey'
© ITV
Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham in 'Downton Abbey'
Tom Cullen is cast as Lord Anthony Gillingham, an old friend of the Granthams.
He will appear at a party held to lift Lady Mary's spirits and is rumoured to be a new love interest for the character, following her husband's death.
The third new male star is Julian Ovenden, who will play "dashing aristocrat" Charles Blake.
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Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake in 'Downton Abbey'
© ITV
Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake in 'Downton Abbey'
He is described as another potential suitor for widow Lady Mary.
Downton Abbey returns to ITV in September.
Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Shirley MacLaine and Jim Carter will all return for the show's fourth run later this year.
Meanwhile, Hollywood star Paul Giamatti has joined the show as "maverick playboy" Harold Levinson, the brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and the son of Martha (Shirley MacLaine).
The first pictures of Downton Abbey's new male stars have been released, teasing some of the potential new love interests for Michelle Dockery's Lady Mary.
Julian Fellowes's period drama has expanded its cast for its upcoming fourth series and following the departure of Dan Stevens's Matthew Crawley in the 2012 Christmas special.
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Gary Carr as Jack Ross in 'Downton Abbey'
© ITV
Gary Carr as Jack Ross in 'Downton Abbey'
Gary Carr (Bluestone 42) has been cast as the first black character in the show, playing jazz singer Jack Ross.
Ross will impress Lady Mary, Lady Rose and Lady Rosamund with his musical talents, when they see him perform during a trip to London.
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Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham in 'Downton Abbey'
© ITV
Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham in 'Downton Abbey'
Tom Cullen is cast as Lord Anthony Gillingham, an old friend of the Granthams.
He will appear at a party held to lift Lady Mary's spirits and is rumoured to be a new love interest for the character, following her husband's death.
The third new male star is Julian Ovenden, who will play "dashing aristocrat" Charles Blake.
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Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake in 'Downton Abbey'
© ITV
Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake in 'Downton Abbey'
He is described as another potential suitor for widow Lady Mary.
Downton Abbey returns to ITV in September.
Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Shirley MacLaine and Jim Carter will all return for the show's fourth run later this year.
Meanwhile, Hollywood star Paul Giamatti has joined the show as "maverick playboy" Harold Levinson, the brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and the son of Martha (Shirley MacLaine).
Downton Abbey is to be sponsored by Tesco Finest for its upcoming fourth series.
The supermarket chain will team up with the ITV period drama on several platforms, including TV, mobile and online.
It marks the first TV sponsorship by the food range, and is part of Tesco's £1 billion six-point turnaround plan, which was announced after its first drop in UK profits in 20 years.
David Wood, Tesco marketing director, said: "We are really excited to be working with Britain's best-loved drama.
"Downton Abbey is a great brand fit for Tesco Finest. The show is well-crafted, authentic and inspiring."
Mark Trinder, Sales Director for ITV Commercial and Online, described the deal as a "great example of how partnering with ITV can enhance a brand's appeal to the benefit of our customers and viewers".
Downton Abbey will be set in 1922 for its fourth series, beginning six months after the death of character Matthew Crawley.
The series will return to ITV in September.
Nigel Harman has teased his role in the new series of Downton Abbey.
The former EastEnders star - who will play valet Mr Green - admitted that his character has no "redeeming qualities".
He told the Radio Times: "I am playing a character who is going to stir things up, so it should be interesting."
The actor drew comparisons between Mr Green and his EastEnders character Dennis Rickman.
Asked if Downton fans can expect to see elements of his former character, he said: "Oh, I don't know really. I think he's a bit better spoken than Dennis because he's a valet, and you have to be a little bit more together.
"But this man is incredibly charming, to the point where he's too good to be true - and that's what it turns out.
"I think Dennis maybe had redeeming qualities, even though he was violent and a murderer, whereas I think this guy doesn't have redeeming qualities."
Harman hinted that Mr Green may cause trouble in the marriage of Anna and Bates, who are seen looking troubled in the new trailer for the fourth series.
Downton Abbey's fourth series begins on ITV on Sunday, September 22 and will air on PBS in the US on Sunday, January 5. :cheer:
tammyy2j
02-09-2013, 14:55
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g6xg8gKxEk&feature=player_embedded
Rob James-Collier has revealed that his character Thomas Barrow will be showing his "claws" in the fourth series of Downton Abbey.
Barrow will apparently clash with the new nanny looking after baby Sybbie, unveiling his "devilish streak" once again to viewers.
"Obviously Thomas always had a soft spot for Lady Sybil. They bonded at the military hospital. We saw how upset he was when she died. So now she's passed he's obviously going to have a soft spot for her child," said the former Coronation Street actor.
"This nanny comes with Sybbie, she's gets quite protective with the baby - and that's obviously the wrong thing to do with Thomas.
"He takes umbrage and marks her card from that point in. Just because she disrespected him."
He added: "If you rile a tiger he's going to show his claws."
Commenting on the darker side of his character, he said: "I think a lot of it is just inherent in his personality - he has always had that devilish streak in him.
"A lot of it might have been just boredom. He's always looking for something, a bit of excitement, gossip, scandal - anything he can do to pass the time and amuse his mind."
James-Collier also said that he was pleased with the way his character's sexuality was dealt with in series three, claiming that it was important to confront the subject of sexuality in the Downton era.
"I wanted to see what effect being gay in Edwardian times had on the person and the people around him. I think we needed to explore it. Because of that people have warmed and seen a different side to him; he's got more layers," he said.
Downton Abbey series four will premiere Sunday, September 22 at 9pm on ITV.
It returns in the US in 2014 on PBS.
Rob James-Collier has revealed that his character Thomas Barrow will be showing his "claws" in the fourth series of Downton Abbey.
Barrow will apparently clash with the new nanny looking after baby Sybbie, unveiling his "devilish streak" once again to viewers.
"Obviously Thomas always had a soft spot for Lady Sybil. They bonded at the military hospital. We saw how upset he was when she died. So now she's passed he's obviously going to have a soft spot for her child," said the former Coronation Street actor.
"This nanny comes with Sybbie, she's gets quite protective with the baby - and that's obviously the wrong thing to do with Thomas.
"He takes umbrage and marks her card from that point in. Just because she disrespected him."
He added: "If you rile a tiger he's going to show his claws."
Commenting on the darker side of his character, he said: "I think a lot of it is just inherent in his personality - he has always had that devilish streak in him.
"A lot of it might have been just boredom. He's always looking for something, a bit of excitement, gossip, scandal - anything he can do to pass the time and amuse his mind."
James-Collier also said that he was pleased with the way his character's sexuality was dealt with in series three, claiming that it was important to confront the subject of sexuality in the Downton era.
"I wanted to see what effect being gay in Edwardian times had on the person and the people around him. I think we needed to explore it. Because of that people have warmed and seen a different side to him; he's got more layers," he said.
Downton Abbey series four will premiere Sunday, September 22 at 9pm on ITV.
It returns in the US in 2014 on PBS.
New pictures from the upcoming fourth series of Downton Abbey have been released.
They feature Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) in mourning and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) with Baby Sybbie.
The new series is to centre heavily on the loss of Dan Stevens's character Matthew Crawley and in particular his wife Lady Mary's recovery.
Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Shirley MacLaine and Jim Carter are all set to reprise their roles when the drama returns.
Downton Abbey series four will premiere Sunday, September 22 at 9pm on ITV and air straight after The X Factor.
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s183/downton-abbey/news/a514698/downton-abbey-new-series-four-pictures.html#ixzz2efncPF1H
New pictures from the upcoming fourth series of Downton Abbey have been released.
They feature Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) in mourning and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) with Baby Sybbie.
The new series is to centre heavily on the loss of Dan Stevens's character Matthew Crawley and in particular his wife Lady Mary's recovery.
Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Shirley MacLaine and Jim Carter are all set to reprise their roles when the drama returns.
Downton Abbey series four will premiere Sunday, September 22 at 9pm on ITV and air straight after The X Factor.
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s183/downton-abbey/news/a514698/downton-abbey-new-series-four-pictures.html#ixzz2efncPF1H
Downton Abbey returns next week and if you can't wait a second more for the upstairs, downstairs tears, drama and romance, Digital Spy has 10 exciting teasers for the new series.
10 of the show's stars have revealed secrets about what's in store for the characters in series four.
1. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville)
"At the beginning of the third series we saw Robert's own folly jeopardising the future of the estate. This time it's something he could not have avoided, which is the death of his heir and the burden of death duties. 50% of the estate was owned by Matthew and punitive taxes are now due to the revenue. What is he to do? How can he best preserve Downton for his new heir, the baby George?"
"Robert's aim - as it has always been - is to try and do the best for the estate and for the family.
"Unfortunately, this well-meaning approach may not actually be what's best for the very person he is trying to protect. It's as if he wants to keep Mary swaddled in her widow's weeds."
2. Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael)
"In episode one, she and Michael Gregson (Charlie Edwards) are reunited after about six months - they haven't seen each other since Matthew's death. But things are still going very strong between them, and it's a relationship that feels far more modern, Gregson has this bohemian lifestyle and he opens Edith's eyes to all of that.
"You sort of get to feel a little bit of that thrill of the rebellion that Edith is going through."
3. Carson (Jim Carter)
"We learn a little bit more about Carson's past, that he did have a sort of slightly dented heart in his past and Mrs Hughes picks up on it. But he wouldn't reveal that to anyone else except her.
"There's a little chink (in Carson's armour), but if you're brought up to be discreet, you don't show too much emotion. I mean his whole life is actually hearing everything and giving nothing away really. So you don't break down and weep. But yeah, viewers will get a little chink in there. I can at least assure you there is a heart beating in there somewhere."
4. John Bates (Brendan Coyle)
"All I will say that is that something happens that shakes the Bates's world and has serious consequences."
5. Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt)
"Yes, there is another upset on the cards for Anna and Bates. I mean it's lovely to play being in love but it's also great to play the drama as well, and as actors we warm to playing something dramatic."
6. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery)
"Mary obviously doesn't find relationships easy. She can be quite tough, she's not a walkover so it will take quite a strong man to handle her and we saw that storyline play out with Matthew and Mary - in the end he sort of tamed her a bit.
"Normally three months after someone's passed away the women would start to change into lilacs and greys and purples but Mary is refusing, even after six months, to change out of anything but black."
7. Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier)
"We see the dawning of a new partnership, because we quickly find out that Miss O'Brien has done a bunk in the night and so obviously someone has to fill the void.
"And then Edna, a character from the past, comes back to take the post of lady's maid and we see a partnership develop with her and Thomas, with all of the opportunities that entails for some new plotting. So yes, he's building relations because he's a survivor and he needs an accomplice.
"He needs someone to feed him information from around the house, and this new maid looks like she fits the bill."
8. Tom Branson (Allen Leech)
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Tom Branson and baby Sybbie
© Carnival/itv
Tom Branson and baby Sybbie
"Edna obviously took a bit of a shine to him and Branson, being quite lonely, kind of confided in her. But I think Edna's quite a scheming character. She's always got her eyes on something else and suddenly she's back in the house. She's somehow managed to get a better job and Branson's genuinely terrified of the fact that she's there. He's walking a very fine line with the family and with her, you know?
"He feels guilty for leading her on in some ways as well, and, I suppose, he is attracted to her in some way, but he wants to forget about what happened while the family were away. That's going to cause difficulties - because she obviously has an ulterior motive, one that people will find out about."
9. Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan)
"Mr Carson has a blast from the past visited upon him. An old chum. Suddenly he turns up again - well, actually, Mrs Hughes engineers that he turns up so that they can make up.
"Despite her hard shell exterior, she is a bit of a soft touch really."
10. Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol)
"She is really reluctant to move forward with technology... She can't understand why you would want a machine when some of the kitchen maids do it very well.
"They're an acquired skill, after all. And think of the ramifications of a woman of her age being thrown out at this stage, it would be a disaster! This is her home, she hasn't gone anywhere else to go. Eventually I think we'll see the stress getting to her."
ITV has released a new clip from series four of Downton Abbey.
The hit period drama's series opener will deal with the aftermath of Matthew Crawley's (Dan Stevens) untimely demise.
In the new clip, new mother Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is still struggling to come to terms with her loss.
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes recently defended the decision to have Mary courted by new suitors following the loss of her husband.
"The only reason she wouldn't be eventually courted successfully would be if she was determined to remain alone and I just don't think that's who she is," said Fellowes.
"I think she's one of those people who find it quite difficult to be generally genial and those people need a partner, because otherwise there's no-one they're ever completely relaxed with."
Downton Abbey returns to ITV on Sunday, September 22 at 9pm.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s183/downton-abbey/news/a516030/downton-abbey-series-4-lady-mary-mourns-matthew-in-new-clip-watch.html
29th September 2013
Episode two:
Emerging from her grief, Mary starts to take an interest in the running of the estate, but is met with resistance from Robert.
As Molesley’s fortunes worsen, Bates hatches a plan to help him.
Out for a bit of fun, Rose gets into a sticky situation at a tea dance in York.
Mrs Hughes urges Carson to let an old wound heal.
29th September 2013
Episode two:
Emerging from her grief, Mary starts to take an interest in the running of the estate, but is met with resistance from Robert.
As Molesley’s fortunes worsen, Bates hatches a plan to help him.
Out for a bit of fun, Rose gets into a sticky situation at a tea dance in York.
Mrs Hughes urges Carson to let an old wound heal.
6th October
An extravagant house party at the Abbey gives the Crawleys a chance to reconnect with old friends. Some guests, however, prove more welcome than others and along with the celebrations come skulduggery and heartache.
Episode 4 - 13th October
Amid the fallout of the eventful house party a trip to the bright lights of London is planned. Here Sir John Bullock shows his true colours and Rose finds gallantry comes from an unexpected quarter.
Gregson shares ambitious plans with Edith, taking their relationship to another level.
Back at the Abbey Mary faces a pressing question about her future, Isobel accepts an offer from Dr Clarkson which rekindles her social conscience, and the manipulative Edna finds herself outmanoeuvred.
Below stairs Carson reveals surprisingly intimate details of his former life, and Daisy's clumsy attempt to get closer to Alfred may push him further away.
Episode 4 - 13th October
Amid the fallout of the eventful house party a trip to the bright lights of London is planned. Here Sir John Bullock shows his true colours and Rose finds gallantry comes from an unexpected quarter.
Gregson shares ambitious plans with Edith, taking their relationship to another level.
Back at the Abbey Mary faces a pressing question about her future, Isobel accepts an offer from Dr Clarkson which rekindles her social conscience, and the manipulative Edna finds herself outmanoeuvred.
Below stairs Carson reveals surprisingly intimate details of his former life, and Daisy's clumsy attempt to get closer to Alfred may push him further away.
A major twist is expected to take place in this weekend's Downton Abbey, following ITV's decision to withhold preview copies of the show's latest episode from the press.
Producers made the same decision not to preview episodes in series three when Lady Sybil was killed off and when Matthew Crawley exited in the Christmas special.
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Nigel Harman as Green and Charles Edwards as Gregson in 'Downton Abbey' episode 3
© ITV
Nigel Harman arrives in Downton
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Andrew Alexander as Sir John Bullock in 'Downton Abbey' episode 3
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Andrew Alexander joins the Downton cast
The opening two episodes of series four have featured both upstairs and downstairs at Downton slowly recovering from the loss of Matthew Crawley.
However, speculation is rife online that another major character might have been killed off by Julian Fellowes in a new twist for the hugely popular ITV drama series.
Further speculation about a possible dramatic twist in this week's episode has been sparked by the arrival of Nigel Harman's character Green.
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Kiri Te Kanawa as Dame Nellie in 'Downton Abbey' episode 3
© ITV
Kiri Te Kanawa cameos in 'Downton'
Harman has claimed that his valet character has "no redeeming qualities" and said previously that he will "stir things up" in the period drama.
Fans suspect that Green will be involved in some fresh troubles for Bates and Anna, who actors Joanne Froggatt and Brendan Coyle have promised will face some serious troubles during the series.
Other arrivals in the latest episode include a new possible suitor for Lady Mary, Tom Cullen's Lord Gillingham, Andrew Alexander's Sir John Bullock and Kiri Te Kanawa as Dame Nellie Melba.
Meanwhile, another new character, Patrick Kennedy's Mr Sampson, is billed by ITV as "a slightly mysterious acquaintance from Robert's gentleman's club".
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Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham in 'Downton Abbey' episode 3
© ITV
Tom Cullen in 'Downton'
The latest episode will centre around an extravagant house party at the Abbey, held to raise spirits and cheer up Lady Mary.
Downton Abbey continues on Sunday nights at 9pm on Sunday.
tammyy2j
07-10-2013, 20:49
OMG poor Anna
20th October
Change is in the air as an exciting opportunity for Alfred creates tension between Ivy and Daisy.
Isobel appeals to Violet’s sense of charity, but it doesn’t come without a fight, and Branson considers a whole new future for himself and baby Sybbie.
A preview video from the next episode of Downton Abbey has been released online.
Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) is seen discussing Lady Mary with Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith) in the clip.
<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/76605622" width="500" height="281" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
Isobel mentions how difficult it was to see Lady Mary at a concert laughing with another man after the recent death of her son Matthew.
She also discusses that she feels bad for having such feelings.
Downton Abbey will be shown on Sunday, October 13 at 9pm on ITV.
A preview video from the next episode of Downton Abbey has been released online.
Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) is seen discussing Lady Mary with Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith) in the clip.
Isobel mentions how difficult it was to see Lady Mary at a concert laughing with another man after the recent death of her son Matthew.
She also discusses that she feels bad for having such feelings.
Downton Abbey will be shown on Sunday, October 13 at 9pm on ITV.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s183/downton-abbey/news/a522758/downton-abbey-new-episode-preview-clip-watch-video.html
Downton Abbey's single parents, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Tom Branson (Allen Leech), have barely been seen with their children in the opening episodes of the series, so it's a relief that in episode 5 we finally see the pair spending time with the ever-so-cute baby Sybbie and baby George.
However, all isn't well for the doting parents as Tom expresses concerns about his current life and reveals that he may have plans to start afresh elsewhere, away from Downton.
Meanwhile, viewers can also look forward to some more delightful Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton scenes as Isobel attempts to appeal to Violet's charitable side. Downstairs, a new opportunity for Alfred (Matt Milne) will add further tension to Ivy (Cara Theobold) and Daisy's (Sophie McShera) relationship.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s183/downton-abbey/news/a523810/downton-abbey-video-preview-lady-mary-and-branson-try-babysitting.html
27th October
A birthday party is planned for Robert, but Rose’s surprise contribution to the event ruffles feathers above and below stairs.
A new farming venture on the Downton estate comes with dramatic repercussions for Mary, and Edith receives more unwelcome news.
3rd November
Cora’s playboy brother Harold is in a fix and Robert must travel to America to help bail him out, whilst a new farming venture at Downton sees Blake and Mary forced to put aside their differences.
When Violet is taken ill she finds help comes from an unlikely corner.
With romantic tensions causing disharmony downstairs, things don’t quite go to plan when Mrs Hughes, Mrs Patmore and Carson conspire to keep the peace.
We're rapidly heading towards the conclusion of series four of Downton Abbey and Julian Fellowes is currently dangling a plethora of tantalising plot strands.
Can Anna and Bates rekindle their love? Will Lady Mary be swept off her feet by a new suitor? Will Thomas ever stop being a rotter? Scroll down for eight picture clues from this week's episode.
1. Now Bates knows some of the truth about Anna, can the couple find love again?
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Joanne Froggatt as Anna and Brendan Coyle as John Bates in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Anna and John Bates in 'Downton Abbey' Episode 6
2. Alfred looks like he has some big news.
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Phyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes, Jim Carter as Mr Carson and Matt Milne as Alfred in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Mrs Hughes, Mr Carson and Alfred
3. But what will that mean for the ongoing downstairs 'love square'?
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Sophie McShera as Daisy and Matt Milne as Alfred in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Daisy and Alfred in 'Downton Abbey' Episode 6
4. Standard Lady Mary looking mournful shot for the week.
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Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Lady Mary in 'Downton Abbey' Episode 6
5. Will Napier have the answer to Lady Mary's woes?
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Evelyn Napier as Brendan Patricks and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Napier and Lady Mary
6. Jack Ross Part 2. How will the jazz band leader go down when he arrives at the house?
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Gary Carr as Jack Ross in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Jack Ross in 'Downton Abbey' Episode 6
7. Who is this dashing young chap on the right? Will the rather handsome Charles Blake win the heart of Lady Mary?
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Evelyn Napier as Brendan Patricks, Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary and Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Napier and Charles Blake party with Lady Mary
8. Thomas is up to no good (again). Will he be caught out before the series end?
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Rob James-Collier as Thomas in 'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Episode 6
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Thomas in 'Downton Abbey' Episode 6
Downton Abbey continues on Sunday (October 27) at 9pm on ITV.
The fourth series of Downton Abbey has been packed full of dark twists and surprising plot turns, but writer Julian Fellowes might be about to top the lot if Dame Maggie Smith's character, the Dowager Countess is written out of the show.
In the 'Next Time' clips for episode seven, Violet Crawley was shown looking off-colour and a bit peaky in her sick bed. It could have been a classic teaser trick, getting us to worry and fret for seven days, only to find out that it's just a case of sniffles or an upset stomach from Mrs Patmore's dodgy soufflé.
However, that didn't stop a few worried tweets being posted out on Twitter last night.
We lost Sybil. We lost Matthew. But losing Violet? We're not sure the nation could quite recover from that.
Aged 78, you wouldn't blame Maggie Smith if she wanted to leave the ITV drama, but surely Lord Fellowes wouldn't just drop her out in episode 7 with a sudden bout of illness while her son Robert (Hugh Bonneville) is over in America?
Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) has said on record that she doesn't think the show could go on without Maggie Smith and many viewers who have struggled through the sluggish middle episodes of series four would be inclined to agree.
The Dowager's head-to-heads with Isobel (Penelope Wilton) and Maggie's raised-eyebrow one-liners have often been the show's only saving grace recently.
However, Fellowes was ruthless with the departure of Dan Stevens and with a new baby on the horizon for Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), the laws of Downton dictate that a death must follow. Let's just all hope and keep our fingers crossed that it isn't the Dowager.
Downton Abbey star Lily James has said that she would "love" to star in a fifth series.
Michelle Dockery - who plays Lady Mary - previously revealed that the hit ITV drama's "core cast" are signed up for another run.
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Lily James as Lady Rose in Downton Abbey episode 8
© ITV
Lily James as Lady Rose in Downton Abbey
"I'd love to [do it]," James (Lady Rose MacClare) told Digital Spy. "I'm really enjoying developing her.
"In the first year, she was in a bit of a whirlwind, a bit intense, so it's been really fun playing her this [fourth] series to find lights and shades and see the more sensitive side to her."
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Lily James as Lady Rose and Andrew Alexander as Sir John Bullock in 'Downton Abbey' episode 3
© ITV
Lady Rose and Sir John Bullock in 'Downton Abbey'
James - who will play the title role in 2015 movie Cinderella - also admitted that she was intrigued by the possibility of a Downton film.
"Why not?" said the 24-year-old. "[Though] our Christmas special is two hours anyway, so I guess they'd have to do something a bit different with it."
Wed 25 Dec 2013
8.30pm - 10.30pm
It's the summer season and as part of Rose's 'coming out' she is to be presented at Buckingham Palace. The family and servants are at Grantham House, their London residence, preparing for the busy social program. Not one to miss such a grand occasion, Cora's mother, Martha Levinson makes the journey from New York with her playboy son Harold, fresh from his recent brush with the law. Both outspoken and larger-than-life, they make quite an impression amongst certain members of London's high society, in particular with Lord Aysgarth, played by James Fox.
Isobel finds herself with an admirer while Edith is wrestling with a moral dilemma. Downstairs, Daisy gets an unexpected invitation and Carson treats the staff to a special day out. When the Crawleys are implicated in a scandal that threatens to engulf the monarchy, Robert will go to great lengths to protect the royal family, and his own.
The episode was filmed in spectacular locations in London and the south of England including Lancaster House, which was used to depict the interiors of Buckingham Palace when Cora presents Lady Rose to The King and Queen, Goldsmith’s College, as well as the beach at West Wittering in Sussex and Basildon Park in Berkshire, which was used for the interiors of the Crawley’s as yet previously unseen London residence.
The episode will feature our returning stars Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Samantha Bond, Laura Carmichael, Lily James, Allen Leech, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Rob James-Collier, Ed Speleers, Cara Theobold, Kevin Doyle and Raquel Cassidy.
Making a return to Downton Abbey is Shirley MacLaine reprising her role as Martha Levinson, Cora’s mother, We also welcome back some familiar faces in Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Daisy Lewis, Patrick Kennedy, Tim Drewe and Douglas Reith. Joining the cast for the Christmas episode is Emmy and Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti portraying Cora’s brother Harold Levinson, BAFTA award winner James Fox, alongside Poppy Drayton, playing his daughter Madeline, Oliver Dimsdale who plays the Prince of Wales, Janet Montgomery, Guy Williams, playing King George V and Michael Benz as Harold Levinsons valet, Ethan.
Downton Abbey has been re-imagined in Lego.
Creator Eric Stevens made models of a number of the characters from the ITV period drama and even constructed Downton Abbey itself.
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Lego Downton Abbey
© Flickr / Eric Stevens
Lego Downton Abbey
"For the men, I used some of the alternate costumes rather than repeat the same tuxedo," Stevens told Mashable.
He added that the female characters were more difficult as Lego has not released any figures from the Downton Abbey time period.
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Lego Downton Abbey
© Flickr / Eric Stevens
Dowager Countess of Grantham
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Lego Downton Abbey
© Flickr / Eric Stevens
Carson
Stevens instead used pieces from sets including Prince of Persia, Indiana Jones and Star Wars.
The Harry Potter set also came in useful - the hat he gave to the Violet Crawley figure belongs to Professor McGonagall, as both characters are played by actress Maggie Smith.
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Lego Downton Abbey
© Flickr / Eric Stevens
Lego Downton Abbey cast
Characters created include Robert Crawley, Tom Branson, Mr Carson, Mr Bates, Thomas Barrow and the three Crawley sisters.
Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame recently dismissed rumours that the drama will end after the next series.
So would love this Lego set :p
Sue Johnston will appear in the fifth series of Downton Abbey.
The Royle Family actress will appear in the upcoming series as Denker, the Lady's Maid of Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess.
It will be Johnston's first major role since leaving Coronation Street in February, after almost 18 months playing Gloria Price.
She joins other Downton guest stars Richard E Grant, Anna Chancellor and Rade Sherbedgia.
Meanwhile, Dame Harriet Walter will reprise her role as Lady Shackleton and Peter Egan will return as Lord Flintshire.
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has called for the series to be simulcast to avoid storyline leaks.
The period drama will return to ITV for its fifth series in September, before a feature-length special airs at Christmas. The series will return to PBS in the US in January 2015.
ITV has released the first trailer for the eagerly anticipated fifth series of Downton Abbey, which will be on screen in the autumn.
It may only be 20 seconds long, but it suggests that the new series will see dramatic changes.
Series five will feature a string of top name guest stars including The Royle Family's Sue Johnston as Denker, Lady's Maid to the Dowager Countess.
Meanwhile, Dame Harriet Walker reprises her role as Lady Shackleton and Peter Egan returns as Lord Flintshire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plzAuzRBkR4
x-Coronation Street star Rob James-Collier has revealed he's wearing a very expensive wig during the current series of Downton Abbey.
The 37-year-old star normally sports luxuriant locks as scheming under butler Thomas Barrow, but just before shooting began on the new series he landed a role as a drugs dealer in upcoming British thriller Wayland's Song, which required him to have a skinhead cut.
He tells TV Times: "I begged Downton to let me shave my hair and they agreed – I bet they wish they hadn't after they'd seen the price of the wig - £4,000. They even put a few grey hairs into it, which was a bit harsh!"
Rob says the wig was so convincing that guest stars didn't notice at first.
"I'd be chatting to them for a couple of hours and then someone would adjust my hair and the star would go, 'Oh my God, it's a wig!'"
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Downton Abbey is set to go up in smoke in the first episode of series five, when a heartbroken Lady Edith Crawley accidentally sets fire to her bedroom.
Lady Edith, played by Laura Carmichael, is in bed weeping over her secret daughter, who she had to give up when her lover, Michael Gregson, mysteriously disappeared, but a book too close to the fireplace goes up in flames, putting the rest of the house and its inhabitants in danger.
Fans will see the family and servants scramble to get out in time and to save Downton, uncovering some house secrets along the way.
Executive producer Liz Trubridge said of putting together the stunt: "Because it was a stately home we couldn't set fire to it. The owners didn't want smoke damage to their house."
She explained that they had built a replica bedroom to burn at Ealing Studios, where Allen Leech's character Tom Branson hosed down the flames: "At the very end the cameramen got themselves in complete waterproof gear and were hosed down by Allen."
The series opener also sees the cast in 1924 having mixed reactions to the news that they have a Labour prime minister - some of the servants welcome the change, while butler Carson (Jim Carter) and members of the family including Hugh Bonneville's Earl of Grantham worry that their world is about to change, especially when the villagers ask Carson to chair a committee over the Earl.
Allen said that former chauffeur Tom, who now lives as part of the family with his daughter Sybbie after his marriage to the late Lady Sybil, would sympathise with those feeling the class system should be upset but would be unlikely to play a very active part in it.
He said: "It would be impossible for him to go back to the man he was. I think he's not as naive as he was when he arrived last year, but he's still very strong in his views."
Viewers will also see Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and John (Brendan Coyle) Bates struggling with whether to have a child. Asked if Anna's reluctance was due to worries that Bates was responsible for the death of Mr Green, after Lord Gillingham's valet raped her last season, Joanne said that wasn't the case.
She said: "I don't think Anna thinks for a moment that Bates is a serial killer. What I'd like to see for Anna and Bates as a viewer is different from what I'd like as an actor, because you like to play the drama, but it's important to have the happy times in between. They get moments of happiness and positivity for them, but it's not an easy journey."
Executive producer Gareth Neame promised more moments as shocking as the rape scene to come in series five: "We always try to have each season right angle moments you don't expect to happen, so I'd like to think so."
He added: "We hope to be back again next year. We think one year to the next so we'll see."
Anna Chancellor makes a guest appearance in the opening episode of Downton Abbey series five as an amorous aristocrat in pursuit of her former servant.
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The Four Weddings And A Funeral star plays Lady Anstruther, a widowed acquaintance of the family who drops in for tea and ends up staying the night at the house after claiming to have car trouble.
But the problems with her car turn out to be a smoke screen so that she can spend the night with Jimmy Kent (Ed Speleers), her former footman who she can't keep her hands off, and who admits he is unable to turn her down despite being embarrassed by her attentions.
Executive producer Liz Trubridge said of the guest cast this series: "We are very lucky on the show that we can attract incredible actors to come and play guest roles.
"Julian (Fellowes, creator) has a great skill in the economy of writing, in writing very satisfying stories in very short spaces of time."
Other guest stars this series include Richard E Grant who plays art historian Simon Bricker, and Sue Johnston who plays Gladys Denker.
The regular cast also includes some new faces, with child actors Oliver and Zac Barker taking on the role of Master George Crawley, and Fifi Hart as the late Lady Sybil's daughter Miss Sybil Branson.
Allen Leech, who plays Sybil's dad Tom Branson, said of the new young stars: "I became known as the whisperer, the dragon man and fire starter. If they were really good in takes, to entertain them we'd go in search of the dragons, because there are lots of dragon effigies around the grounds."
He added: "All of the fires we have on set are controlled by our special effects team so they would make them very high and very low, and I would pretend to control them with my hand.
"So basically, I turned them into fantasy-loving pyromaniacs."
Downton Abbey's fifth series is just around the corner, and despite an embarrassing incident with a plastic bottle in one of the promotional pictures dominating a lot of today's (August 14) coverage, there are also some exciting glimpses of what's in store for fans of the period drama.
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The Downton Abbey Series 5 cast
© ITV / Carnival
The first official pictures for the new series include a shot of Richard E Grant's "charming art historian" Simon Bricker, who will appear in four episodes.
Other new arrivals in series five include Royle Family actress Sue Johnston as Denker, lady's maid to Dame Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess, 4-year-old Fifi Hart as Sybbie, and twins Oliver and Zac Barker as George Crawley.
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Elizabeth McGovern as Cora, Countess of Grantham & Richard E Grant as Simon Bricker in Downton Abbey series 5 launch picture
© ITV / Carnival
Richard E Grant joins the cast for series 5
Downton's executive producer Gareth Neame has promised "high-stakes drama, laugh-out-loud comedy and romance" in the new episodes.
It will start in the roaring 1920s, and Lady Mary is expected to have moved on from her mourning in the last series as the search for husband number two continues.
Branson's blossoming romance with teacher Miss Bunting is also expected to feature heavily in the series
The show's creator Julian Fellowes recently revealed that he would be "amazed" if there wasn't at least a sixth series of the drama.
Fellowes previously told Digital Spy that he thought it would be "quite fun" to do a Downton movie after the show has ended on TV.
Downton Abbey will return soon on ITV. :cheer::cheer::cheer:
American fans will get the fifth series on January 4, 2015 on PBS.
21st September, 9:00 - 10:00 PM :D
Returning to Downton in 1924, a new Labour government heralds changes that are being felt throughout the land, as well as above and below stairs.
Plans for a war memorial unexpectedly pit Carson against Robert and Mrs Hughes. While unwanted female attention spells trouble for Jimmy, Thomas gives Baxter an ultimatum. Branson’s burgeoning friendship causes Robert concern while Mary is ready to find love again. Cracks appear in Edith and Drewe’s special arrangement as she increasingly struggles to keep her emotions in check; this may have disastrous consequences for the whole household.
Violet, Dowager Countess Of Grantham- Maggie Smith
Robert, Earl Of Grantham - Hugh Bonneville
Lady Edith Crawley - Laura Carmichael
Mr Carson - Jim Carter
Baxter - Raquel Cassidy
John Bates - Brendan Coyle
Anthony Gillingham - Tom Cullen
Lady Mary Crawley - Michelle Dockery
Molesley - Kevin Doyle
Anna - Joanne Froggatt
Lady Rose - Lily James
Thomas - Robert James-Collier
Tom Branson - Allen Leech
Mrs Hughes - Phyllis Logan
Cora, Countess Of Grantham - Elizabeth Mcgovern
Daisy - Sophie Mcshera
Mrs Patmore - Lesley Nicol
Dr Clarkson - David Robb
Jimmy - Ed Speleers
Isobel Crawley - Penelope Wilton
Mrs Drewe - Emma Lowndes
Tim Drewe - Andrew Scarborough
Mrs Wigan - Helen Sheals
Headmaster - Patrick Brennan
Sarah Bunting - Daisy Lewis
Spratt - Jeremy Swift
Lady Shackleton - Harriet Walter
Lord Merton - Douglas Reith
Lady Anstruther - Anna Chancellor
Kitty Colthurst - Louise Calf
George Clooney is to star in the UK television series Downton Abbey, it has been reported. The actor will play an American character who is a guest at a wedding in the country estate.
The show, which will be broadcast at Christmas, was written to raise money for a charity fundraiser, called Text Santa for ITV. An ITV spokesperson said Clooney would appear in a sketch, but would not act in a full Christmas episode.
The Hollywood star has already filmed the scenes but a spokesperson for the period drama refused to give away any further details. However, it was reported that Clooney was set to appear alongside Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery.
Clooney is reportedly a huge fan of Downton Abbey and is good friends with Bonneville, who plays Lord Robert Crawley. The pair became close after working on the war film, Monuments Men, together.
Earlier this year, it was also claimed that Clooney and his fiancée, Amal Alamuddin, considered choosing Highclere Castle, the Hampshire estate where Downton Abbey is filmed, as the venue for their upcoming wedding.
However, it has been suggested that this was an elaborate cover story – invented after he was spotted at the castle – in order to keep his Downton appearance a secret.
Sources told the Sun: "All the plans have been shrouded in secrecy because George was determined for his role not to leak out.
"All the other cast members and crew were also sworn to secrecy. It's amazing it's taken four months for someone to find out. This is the biggest moment in Downton history and shows it's now the biggest drama in the world."
The Text Santa fundraising appeal last year saw Cheryl Cole star in a special episode of Coronation Street. The singer was shown serving drinks in the Rovers Return, alongside Michelle Keegan, who played Tina McIntyre.
ITV said that all money raised from the show will go to charity.
28th September, 9.00PM
Episode two
With the house recovering from the night’s dramatic events, Robert is faced with a very difficult decision. As Daisy continues to struggle with her studies, Mrs Patmore has an idea which might solve everything. Thomas has it in for Baxter; will his meddling ruin her friendship with Molesley? As Rose tries to convince Robert of the virtues of a wireless at Downton, Lord Merton continues his hot pursuit of Isobel and when Mary puts her reputation on the line, Anna is made a reluctant accomplice.
parkerman
22-09-2014, 09:05
Blimey! That fire engine got their quick. Is it parked in the Abbey's garage?
5th October
Episode three
Mary’s secret assignation is very nearly blown, but Violet’s quick thinking saves the day. Robert is left red faced and furious when things don’t go as planned. The events surrounding Green’s death are once again under scrutiny, while Mrs Patmore is devastated when old wounds are reopened but Carson is unsympathetic. Branson receives an interesting proposition concerning the future of the Downton estate, while a figure from Violet’s distant past suggests she has buried secrets of her own.
12th October
Episode four
Sarah Bunting continues to cause waves above stairs, but this time she may have gone too far. On returning to Downton, Thomas is suffering an inexplicable illness; Baxter suspects there’s more to it than he’s letting on. Meanwhile, Violet reveals to Isobel the surprising truth of her past with Prince Kuragin and Mary comes to a decision concerning Lord Gillingham, but things don’t go quite as planned. When Rose’s father Shrimpie returns to Downton, he breaks news that will shock the whole family.
19th October
Simon Bricker returns to Downton to discuss the painting with Cora, but this time has his flirting crossed the line?
Branson makes a difficult decision about Sarah Bunting, and Rose encounters a handsome stranger.
Determined to stop Isobel making the wrong decision about Lord Merton, Violet enlists the help of Doctor Clarkson, but things don’t quite go as planned.
Meanwhile in London, Charles Blake surprises Mary with a cunning plan to help her get exactly what she wants.
Downstairs, Mrs Patmore seeks Carson’s advice on a financial matter and Inspector Vyner returns with some ominous words of warning for Anna.
26th October
Episode five
Following last week’s altercation, relations between Robert and Cora are strained. Blake’s scheming starts to come to fruition, when Mary is unexpectedly pitted against her love rival. Edith receives some terrible news and decides to take drastic measures, leaving people reeling. Following a mysterious tip off, Baxter becomes embroiled in the investigation of Green’s death. Meanwhile, Thomas’s condition is deteriorating, prompting him to finally reveal the truth to Baxter. It’s not all bad news however; love is in the air for more than one member of the Crawley family.
2nd November
Episode seven
Rosamund arrives at Downton following Edith’s shock departure; will her secret finally be exposed to the family? Meanwhile, Rose is delighted to introduce Atticus and his parents to Downton for the first time.Downstairs, Molesley is concerned to see Daisy becoming disillusioned with her studies, and hatches a plan to bring her around. With the worst of their troubles seemingly over, Anna and Bates start thinking about life outside Downton. Isobel makes a happy announcement, but there may be trouble ahead. Violet has her hands full with her warring servants and Mary and Blake seize an opportunity to send Gillingham a strong message.
9th November
Episode eight
Preparations are underway for Rose’s big day, but family tensions on both sides threaten to derail proceedings. Edith’s arrangement with Marigold is happily working out, but how long can she and Cora conceal the truth from Robert? In London, Denker reveals an unexpected side to her personality, which causes trouble for more than one of the servants. With the war memorial due to be unveiled, Mrs Patmore is still upset but Robert has something up his sleeve. Meanwhile, Branson has come to a heart-wrenching decision and the storm clouds that have been gathering over Anna and Bates finally burst.
tammyy2j
06-11-2014, 16:05
ITV commissions a sixth series of Downton Abbey
ITV and Carnival Films, the producers of Downton Abbey, today announce that production will begin early next year on a sixth series of the hit drama.
The globally successful and multi award-winning series, debuted on ITV in 2010 and has since been sold to over 250 territories worldwide. The fifth season, which comes to an end on Sunday 9th November, has been watched by an average of 10.4 million based on consolidated data per episode and will return at Christmas for a festive edition of the drama. Season 5 will premiere on MASTERPIECE on PBS on Sunday 4th January 2015.
Carnival’s Managing Director, Gareth Neame said:
“We have had an amazing reaction to the story lines, acting and production values of Downton Abbey this year and the whole team is thrilled to be moving ahead with a new season of the show. This will provide audiences with a fresh opportunity to see what will befall our much loved characters.”
ITV’s Director of Drama Commissioning, Steve November said,
"It is fantastic that Downton continues to be such a phenomenon - still the most popular drama on ITV in its fifth series - and we are thrilled to have commissioned a sixth series. We don't know yet what Julian has planned, but we are looking forward to working with him, the fantastic cast and Carnival again and have no doubt series six will be unmissable."
Downton Abbey is a Carnival Films/MASTERPIECE co-production.
The first preview of George Clooney in Downton Abbey has been released.
The Hollywood actor will feature in a comedy skit of the ITV drama as part of the channel's Text Santa telethon event on December 19.
http://vimeo.com/113294180
Phillip Schofield debuted a short clip of Clooney with Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern) during his 24-hour presenting marathon on ITV.
Meanwhile, pictures of Clooney holding a clapperboard with his co-star Hugh Bonneville have also been released.
The pair also starred alongside each other in World War Two drama The Monuments Men.
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George Clooney and Hugh Bonneville for Text Santa: Downton Abbey on ITV
© ITV
Actress Laura Carmichael recently teased Clooney's cameo appearance, saying: "It's amazing and we didn't even know if it would actually happen until he turned up! We were filming away and then heard, 'He's here, he's here, he's arrived'.
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George Clooney and Hugh Bonneville for Text Santa: Downton Abbey on ITV
© ITV
"But he was wonderful and so brilliant and I'm very excited for everyone to see it."
Downton Abbey will return to ITV with a two-hour special on Christmas Day.
Christmas episode:
Episode synopsis
It's grouse season and Lord Sinderby, has rented out Brancaster Castle in Northumberland and invited the Crawley family to a shooting party. While good sport is enjoyed, Stowell (Armstrong) has an axe to grind and a scandalous secret threatens to undermine the holiday. Surprises are in store as the families become better acquainted with each other and some new faces arrive on the scene.
Meanwhile the servants hold the fort back at Downton. As Anna faces an uncertain future behind bars, Bates takes drastic measures in a bid to clear her name. Baxter and Molesley are busy on a joint plan and Carson and Mrs Hughes consider a business venture.
Press release
ITV and Carnival Films, the producers of Downton Abbey, today announce details of the Downton Abbey Christmas episode which rejoins the family in the early autumn of 1924. The two hour episode will be shown on ITV at Christmas.
Joining the cast as a guest star is Alun Armstrong (New Tricks, Braveheart, Sleepy Hollow). He plays Stowell - Butler to Lady Rose’s new in-laws, the Sinderbys’.
Also joining is BAFTA Award nominee, Jane Lapotaire (Blind Justice) who will play the much talked about Princess Irina, wife of Prince Kuragin (Rade Sherbedgia).
It's grouse season and Lord Sinderby, has rented out Brancaster Castle in Northumberland and invited the Crawley family to a shooting party. While good sport is enjoyed, Stowell (Armstrong) has an axe to grind and a scandalous secret threatens to undermine the holiday. Surprises are in store as the families become better acquainted with each other and some new faces arrive on the scene.
Meanwhile the servants hold the fort back at Downton. As Anna faces an uncertain future behind bars, Bates takes drastic measures in a bid to clear her name. Baxter and Molesley are busy on a joint plan and Carson and Mrs Hughes consider a business venture.
Alnwick Castle, in Northumberland, was used as the location for Brancaster Castle. Production spent two weeks in Northumberland and filmed in the spectacular interior rooms as well as the incredible Hulne Abbey and shooting on the estate.
The episode will feature returning stars Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Lily James, Allen Leech, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Robert James-Collier, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, Sue Johnston, Jeremy Swift, Douglas Reith, Fifi Hart and Zac and Oliver Barker.
Making a return to Downton Abbey are James Faulkner and Penny Downie as Lord and Lady Sinderby, along with their son, and Lady Rose’s husband, Atticus Aldridge, played by Matt Barber. Rade Sherbedgia will also reprise his role as Prince Kuragin and Michael Fox will play footman Andy.
Did anyone watch the latest series of Downton? I've got it all recorded but don't really fancy watching it. I really loved the first series but have enjoyed each consecutive series less and less.
What's people's opinion of the recent series?
Loved every episode, Dazzle .. I am looking forward to the Christmas episode and the next series.
Loved every episode, Dazzle .. I am looking forward to the Christmas episode and the next series.
Thanks Perdy, I'll start watching it this week then. :)
maidmarian
02-12-2014, 19:25
Did anyone watch the latest series of Downton? I've got it all recorded but don't really fancy watching it. I really loved the first series but have enjoyed each consecutive series less and less.
What's people's opinion of the recent series?
Ive watched all series- thought there was a bit of
a dip after first couple of series but still enjoyed it.
Think this last series was really back on top form.
Ive watched all series- thought there was a bit of
a dip after first couple of series but still enjoyed it.
Think this last series was really back on top form.
Thanks MM, I'm looking forward to watching it now. :)
The future of ITV hit Downton Abbey could be in doubt after it emerged that writer Julian Fellowes has yet to commit to a seventh series of the popular period drama.
It follows reports that this autumn’s series could be the last after some of the show’s younger stars were said to be in talks to follow in the footsteps of star Dan Stevens and pursue work in America.
Joanne Froggatt, who plays Mrs Bates, Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) and Allen Leech – who played the now-departed Tom Branson – were all named in a report in the Daily Mirror as having meetings with producers when they were in Los Angeles for the recent Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Although the award-winning period drama still pulls in huge audiences and is not due to be recommissioned until the autumn, the report also said that Fellowes wants to start writing his long-awaited US drama for NBC The Gilded Age.
There has been speculation about the future of Downton since the second series and particularly after executive producer Gareth Neame from producers Carnival said last year: “I’m not sure what its lifespan will be, but it won’t be 10 years. In the short term, I’m sure it’s going to be around for a few more years, but I don’t think it will be a show that will last that long. I want it to be a show that people enjoy when they’re watching it now, and then, in 10 years’ time, they still look back on it incredibly fondly and remember it.”
Production sources say the key to the future of Downton is its creator, the author and actor Fellowes.
One said that makers Carnival and its parent company NBC Universal and ITV want to do more episodes – unsurprising given the huge audiences it generates in the UK and its popularity in the US but the question is, does Fellowes?
Fellowes is currently writing the sixth series of Downton, which is due to go into production next month and air later this year, but sources close to him say that he will not necessarily be writing The Gilded Age next.
His agent declined to comment on whether or not he wants to write another series of Downton beyond the next one.
Since its debut in the US, the realistic British period drama "Downton Abbey" has transported viewers back in time to the early 1900s. But do you ever wonder what the cast looks like in real life? Since the 5th season premieres on Jan. 4, click to see how different they all look without the garb from another century -- starting with Michelle Dockery, who plays the oldest of three daughters, Lady Mary Crawley.
The cast of 'Downton Abbey' revealed
Irish actor Leech has left Downton so it is no surprise that he is in talks about other roles but it is not known what is in store for Carmichael and Froggatt’s characters this series as Fellowes has not yet delivered all the scripts.
However, a spokeswoman for the show also pointed out that Downton films for six months of the year, leaving the cast plenty of time to do other work; Hugh Bonneville filmed two other projects, including BBC2 satire W1A, in the time between series five and six, while Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) has filmed dramas such as Restless. They also highlighted the fact that Downton only airs eight Sundays of the year, leaving 44 others for other producers to fill
Downton’s ratings have slipped a little with the premiere of the fifth series of ITV’s Downton Abbey drew an average audience of 8.4 million in September – the lowest debut since the show’s launch in 2010. But it still does big numbers for ITV - its top-rated 2014 edition had 10.8 million viewers in early November, making it ITV’s highest-rating drama after soap Coronation Street.
ITV usually recommissions the show on a yearly-basis, with negotiations – which are detailed due to the expense and talent availablity – tending to start in early spring and be completed by November.
Inevitably the network has been thinking about the future of the schedule without Downton, with sources saying that a number of independent producers have shows in development that could fill the all-important Sunday night drama slot should the hit show come to an end.
An ITV spokesman said: “We wouldn’t comment on speculative stories about our programmes.”
Downton Abbey's upcoming sixth series will be its last, ITV has confirmed.
The broadcaster has announced that the period drama will air its final episode during the Christmas season in the UK.
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The Downton Abbey Christmas special
© ITV / Carnival/Nick Briggs
9 actors who have left Downton Abbey for better... or worse
The final episode of Julian Fellowes' drama will follow an eight-episode series, which is scheduled to air this autumn.
Fellowes said: "The Downton journey has been amazing for everyone aboard. People ask if we knew what was going to happen when we started to make the first series and the answer is that, of course we had no idea.
"Exactly why the series had such an impact and reached so many people around the world, all nationalities, all ages, all types, I cannot begin to explain. But I do know how grateful we are to have been allowed this unique experience.
"I suspect the show will always be a principal marker in most of our careers as we set out from here, and if so, I consider that a blessing and a compliment."
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Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary & Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley in Downton Abbey S05E08: The season finale
© ITV / Nick Briggs
Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael as Lady Mary and Lady Edith
Executive Producer Gareth Neame explained that it is important to end the series when it "felt right and natural for the storylines to come together".
Peter Fincham, ITV's director of television, added: "When Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame brought us the idea for Downton Abbey six years ago, we thought it would be a great Sunday night series for ITV, but we had no way of knowing that it would become a global phenomenon playing to hundreds of millions of viewers around the world.
"What a ride it's been - for everyone involved in the production, for the cast, and most of the all for the audience. We all thought very carefully about the right moment to bring something so special to a close that felt editorially right, and left viewers wanting more.
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Caption:LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (C) poses with cast, crew and producers of Downton Abbey during an official visit to the set of Downton Abbey at Ealing Studios on March 12, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
© Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Duchess of Cambridge recently visited the set of the ITV period drama
"Christmas Day on ITV this year will certainly be one to remember, as the concluding special brings a series to an end that started as a leap of faith for all of us, and ended surpassing all expectations."
The announcement brings an end to months of speculation about the show's future, following rumours that the end was nigh for the Crawley family.
Maggie Smith recently suggested that the sixth series would be her last, even if the show continued past that point.
Downton Abbey will return to ITV later this year. The programme airs on PBS in the United States.
I am gutted it will come to an end but then all good things must ... I have thoroughly enjoyed every episode :heart::clap::bow:
https://youtu.be/WPwaCjE8DcY
Downton Abbey Season 6 NEW promo
Downton Abbey starts Sunday 20 September on ITV http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/happy/animaatjes-happy-0431816.gif (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/)
Episode: 1 of 8
Series 6 Sun 20 Sep 2015
Time: 9.00pm - 10.30pm
We return to Downton Abbey in 1925, and secrets and rifts threaten the unity of the family, while those below stairs navigate social changes which put their futures in jeopardy.
Mary’s past catches up with her when an unwelcome visitor delivers an ultimatum, and news about the running of Downton Hospital puts Violet on the warpath. Friends of the Crawleys, the Darnleys, have been forced to sell their ancestral home, and Daisy’s good intentions at the Mallerton House auction have disastrous consequences. With friends in debt and fashions changing, Robert is feeling the pressure to make staff cutbacks at Downton. Carson is concerned that Mrs Hughes is having second thoughts about their impending matrimony, and judgement day finally arrives for Anna and Bates.
News
Downton Abbey's Thomas the under-butler may not survive the final series of the period drama, according to the actor who plays him.
Robert James-Collier hinted that his character has a big storyline in the closing episodes of the ITV show.
Asked how he would like the drama to end for Thomas, James-Collier said: "Well, Julian [Fellowes, Downton creator] said to me at the read-through, 'I hope you're prepared to be the tragic hero', so that could mean anything, couldn't it?
"Am I going to die? I don't know."
He added: "Listen, I don't have any - and never had any - expectations for Thomas. He's been one of the more complex characters so he's always had these tremendous rollercoaster rides. It's all or nothing with Thomas and this season it very much continues in that vein, so I'm happy."
The final season begins next week and will see a number of storylines wrapped up.
Fellowes said: "The theme of the season is resolution. The fact that everyone watching it knows this is the end means they will, I hope, indulge us and accept more resolution than we normally go for."
Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham, said he hoped the show would end with him and Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) leaving Downton for a more carefree existence.
"I think Cora and he should jump in an open top car and speed off to the south of France. They should leave everyone behind and go off and enjoy their twilight years. I'm intrigued to see how Julian wraps it up - whether the Crawleys will turn out to be survivors or whether they are going to fall victim to the new era," he said.
“Downton has been close to the brink in the past but there’s a definite feeling that Robert and the Crawley family are drinking in the last chance saloon."
One episode will see the Crawleys open Downton to the public for the first time in a storyline that foretells the rise of the National Trust and the changing role of Britain’s country houses.
Gareth Neame, the show’s executive producer, explained: "This isn’t the National Trust or a 365-day-a-year revenue initiative; this is a one-off and very informal and impromptu. This storyline is important, though, because for almost all of us, our relationship with these historic houses is that we purchase a ticket and go and visit them.
“In doing so, we immerse ourselves in a piece of living history, at the same time as preserving such places for generations to come.
“I’d love the audience to now see these characters as people they might know and recognise… Mary, Edith and Sybil’s children could just about be alive today. And although we inhabit a radically different early 21st century, we’re still inextricably linked to that era. It wasn’t just a place and time on its own – this is part of where we come from.”
2 of 8
Sun 27 Sep 2015
9.00pm - 10.00pm
Mary’s meddling gets Mr Carson into trouble with Mrs Hughes as planning for their wedding gets underway, and Cora and Violet are pitted against each other over plans for the hospital takeover. Thomas’s job search continues, and an idea of Mary’s takes Anna to London and offers new hope. Edith faces challenges at the magazine but it’s a problem closer to home that reaches breaking point. What begins as a happy day out for the family and servants ends in panic and leaves Robert with a difficult decision to make.
Oh dear, someone has rattled The Dowager's cage. But who? Find out in Series 6!
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3/8
4th October ITV
An old acquaintance comes to Edith’s aid, while Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes’ big day brings an unexpected arrival.
4/8
11th October 2015
Anna and Mary face a crisis and a figure from the past surprises those above and below stairs.
5/8
18th Oct, ITV
Violet embroils the Minister of Health in the hospital row, but his visit ends in catastrophe. Mary’s suspicions are aroused.
6/8
25th October on ITV
Downton Abbey opens its doors to the public for charity, and tensions between Cora and Violet reach a dramatic climax.
maidmarian
13-10-2015, 15:39
:crying:
6/8
25th October on ITV
Downton Abbey opens its doors to the public for charity, and tensions between Cora and Violet reach a dramatic climax.
Wonder if it will result in a death!!
Dame Maggie said this would be her final
season even before they decided to make
it the final one for the programme!!:crying:
That is what I fear too :(
This is sooo funny :lol:
http://www.facebook.com/triciamcrae.lester/videos/891350307544925/
7/8
1st November
The family face a shocking turn of events at Brooklands racetrack, while Molesley and Daisy are put to the test.
parkerman
20-10-2015, 13:18
This is sooo funny :lol:
http://www.facebook.com/triciamcrae.lester/videos/891350307544925/
Brilliant. Thanks for the link. I loved the bit early on when Thomas was helping himself to the silver. :rotfl:
maidmarian
26-10-2015, 02:15
That is what I fear too :(
The Dowager now knows she been usurped
(by Cora) and no tragedy -yet!
Plenty of trouble brewing tho!!:hmm:
Is it just me who thinks Mary and Tom should get together? They've got so much in common and I somehow can't see her and that racing driver happily married. I'm kind of hoping Mary's hit by a bolt of lightning and realises she's fallen for the decent Tom while she wasn't looking. Is she capable of "marrying down" though?
Nobody loves Thomas. :( I know he's brought it upon himself but I can't help feeling sad for him.
maidmarian
27-10-2015, 03:43
Is it just me who thinks Mary and Tom should get together? They've got so much in common and I somehow can't see her and that racing driver happily married. I'm kind of hoping Mary's hit by a bolt of lightning and realises she's fallen for the decent Tom while she wasn't looking. Is she capable of "marrying down" though?
Nobody loves Thomas. :( I know he's brought it upon himself but I can't help feeling sad for him.
re Mary &Tom -Ive always thought they would
be a good match!.Even when she at her most
frost-faced-she becomes more human in his
company.
From 1840s??to 1907 it was illegal for a man
to marry his deceased wifes sister (in England)
-so it would be possible legally.
Between 1907 -1921 it was possible for individual
clergy to refuse to carry out such ceremonies!
From 1700s to 1840 -it was legal-but interested
parties could have the marriages voided.
A complicated matter invooving both civil & canon
law .
Whether there would be any residual stigma
in "high society" -I dont know? There were famous
cases regarding writers/ artists but would Lady
Mary .....
Re Thomas -he was really quite evil in
early series but mellowed a bit and trying
to change??
A bit of a change from.Corrie for actor!!
He plays the part well!
8/8
8th November
Romance blossoms but a betrayal of trust threatens the chance of lasting happiness. Thomas considers desperate measures.
ITV
This is it .... no more new series of Downton Abbey :crying: I have enjoyed every episode :)
maidmarian
27-10-2015, 04:52
8/8
8th November
Romance blossoms but a betrayal of trust threatens the chance of lasting happiness. Thomas considers desperate measures.
ITV
This is it .... no more new series of Downton Abbeyy :crying: I have enjoyed every episode :)
Oh so.soon! last episode seems to arrived so
quickly .And no Christmas Special!!:(
moonstorm
27-10-2015, 11:43
Oh I thought we were getting a Christmas special and that was to be the last one??
Oh I thought we were getting a Christmas special and that was to be the last one??
There is a Christmas special this year :cheer: but not another series :(
There is a Christmas special this year :cheer: but not another series :(
Christmas Day episode on at 9-00pm, I believe it's a 90min special which of course will be the finale. Something to look forward to. I'm sure most are aware of Maggie Smith's latest film due for release at the cinema 13th.Nov. Written by Alan Bennett titled " The Lady In The Van". If the trailer is anything to go by looks really good, but with two class acts of Miss Smith and Mr Bennett I'm sure it will be.
maidmarian
27-10-2015, 14:57
There is a Christmas special this year :cheer: but not another series :(
Oh - great -good news!!
thought the last episode of this series
was IT!!:cheer:
maidmarian
27-10-2015, 15:02
Oh I thought we were getting a Christmas special and that was to be the last one??
Very sorry about mistake-see Perditas &
Glens posts
Delighted to be WRONG::)
maidmarian
27-10-2015, 15:18
Christmas Day episode on at 9-00pm, I believe it's a 90min special which of course will be the finale. Something to look forward to. I'm sure most are aware of Maggie Smith's latest film due for release at the cinema 13th.Nov. Written by Alan Bennett titled " The Lady In The Van". If the trailer is anything to go by looks really good, but with two class acts of Miss Smith and Mr Bennett I'm sure it will be.
Thanks v much for info Glen
Christmas Day wouldnt be the same without it!
Julian Fellowes had said that while the ending
wont be too tidy - we will kniw what the future
holds for the characters!
Didnt see how they could do that by Episode 8-
a lot of storylines!
And great news about Maggie Smiths new film- thanks
TaintedLove
27-10-2015, 19:06
I still say Lady Edith's lover Michael, the father of Marigold will resurface on either the last episode, or the Christmas Day episode. After all, no one ever saw his body did they - he was declared dead but never saw a body as proof. Maybe he was in hiding because of the government job he was in Germany.
If he isn`t dead, then why does Lady Edith mention him in every episode this season, when he barely got a mention last season.
I will be sad to see the end of the series...only two more episodes to go plus the Christmas special. But I have heard hints about a feature film in the works. Would love that.
maidmarian
27-10-2015, 20:01
I still say Lady Edith's lover Michael, the father of Marigold will resurface on either the last episode, or the Christmas Day episode. After all, no one ever saw his body did they - he was declared dead but never saw a body as proof. Maybe he was in hiding because of the government job he was in Germany.
If he isn`t dead, then why does Lady Edith mention him in every episode this season, when he barely got a mention last season.
I will be sad to see the end of the series...only two more episodes to go plus the Christmas special. But I have heard hints about a feature film in the works. Would love that.
Im glad someone else thinks Michael Gregson is
not dead.TL!
I agree about the comments this season- but for
me the main reason was- it seemed so
" unfinished"over a period of several years
( in story time).Edith kept the child and his
business going- not seriously interested in anyone
else since( til recently) as tho she was waiting
for his return!!
We will.know soon! Unless its part of Christmas
Special!
Probably heresy - but I thought it lots better than
Upstairs Downstairs.
In Downton the Upstairs family were a lot more
human and less cardboard.
And the servants more interesting and less servile-
whilst still showing some respect.
Some older rellies -who had had friends in service
-at "Big Houses".would tell stories they had heard!
The worst people to work for were apparently
those who had just climbed up a small notch on
the social scale. They did treat servants like dirt!
Ive heard about possibility of a film?
but it wasnt clear whether they meant -
same characters moved on a couple of
decades or a new generation -even later.
So.in.either case a lot of recasting- not sure
how Id feel about that?
It will depend on funding anyway?
maidmarian
27-10-2015, 20:01
dupl
Whether there would be any residual stigma
in "high society" -I dont know? There were famous
cases regarding writers/ artists but would Lady
Mary .....
It's definitely unlikely that snobbish Lady Mary would marry an ex-chauffer - even one her sister married - but I can't help wishing for it to happen nonetheless. :wub:
Re Thomas -he was really quite evil in
early series but mellowed a bit and trying
to change??
A bit of a change from.Corrie for actor!!
He plays the part well!
I've always had a soft spot for Thomas, even back when he was an out-and-out villain (probably because I loved the actor as Corrie's Liam). I can't help but hope he finds love before Downton ends for ever. I know he really doesn't want to leave Downton but maybe his life would improve away from there. No one seems willing to give him a second chance, and he's got little prospect of meeting someone and having a relationship whilst living and working there.
I still say Lady Edith's lover Michael, the father of Marigold will resurface on either the last episode, or the Christmas Day episode. After all, no one ever saw his body did they - he was declared dead but never saw a body as proof.
Well, a body was found and identified as Michael, but that was before DNA identification of course. It would be nice if he were found to be alive after all but I can't really see it happening.
I'm really peeved that Mary married that bore Henry Talbot! I like the actor (Matthew Goode), and have seen him in some interesting parts, but I just couldn't take to his character in Downton. Mary and Henry have no chemistry, the relationship was rushed and unconvincing, and the storyline seemed to consist mainly of everyone lecturing her about how well they're suited. Who was Julian Fellowes trying to convince? http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/confused/smileys-confused-630530.gif (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/)
Still, maybe they'll be divorced by the Christmas special? http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/happy/smileys-happy-514478.gif (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/)
Loved both Edith and Tom telling some home truths to uber b*tch Mary!
It was nice to see most of the residents get happy endings. Hopefully, Edith will get hers at Christmas.
Agree , Mary and Henry's marriage was out of place , should have been left to our imaginations that maybe she and Tom might marry in the future. Mary could still have had her chat with "Granny" and then attempt to put things right for Edith. Must be something planned for Edith in the Xmas special.
poor edith she deserves happiness
tammyy2j
11-11-2015, 15:39
Roll on the Christmas special as that ending didn't sit well with me
Good news for those of us who felt Edith got a raw deal in the last episode!
Lady Edith to take centre stage in the final moments of Downton Abbey
It's set to be the centrepiece of many households' Christmas Day viewing – but how will we leave the residents of Downton Abbey when its doors finally close for good?
The end of the sixth series saw Lady Mary walk down the aisle a second time, while her sister, Lady Edith, was left to mull over her uncertain future by the grave of her sister. Not exactly the happy ending it had (briefly) looked like she might enjoy.
But with one more episode to go, will Edith find true love. Actress Laura Carmichael has revealed she will take centre stage in the closing moments of Julian Fellowes' period drama alongside Samantha Bond's aunt Rosamund and a mystery third party. Could it be Edith's almost fiancé Bertie Pelham?
Speaking to the new issue of Radio Times from an orchestra recording of the finale, Carmichael explains 'today they're scoring the final scene, with Sam and a person who I can't name.
'It was a night shoot – we started at 1am and shot until 6am. Michelle [Dockery] was doing the clapperboard. Gareth [Neame, executive producer] was dressed as the maître d, and all of the crew were in costume.'
Carmichael adds that her character will be the focus of the final shot of the award-winning drama. 'The last moment of Downton is a close-up on me, at 6am, trying to remember all the lines. It was a lot of pressure trying to keep it together but when they shouted wrap and we all had champagne, it was magical!'
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-11-23/lady-edith-to-take-centre-stage-in-the-final-moments-of-downton-abbey
Lady E has to get married and have Marigold live with her and her husband :D
Fri 25 Dec 2015
8.45pm - 10.45pm
The last ever episode of the multi-award winning drama culminates in a breath-taking finale of New Year’s Eve at Downton.
I've now seen the finale of Downton Abbey and thoroughly enjoyed it. There wasn't a dry eye in the house by the end, and I was pleased Violet got the last line. I guess some people would have found the ending too sentimental, but it left me feeling warm and fuzzy. :D
My only very slight disappointment is that nothing was said between Molesley and Baxter. I think we can safely deduce they'll get together but I'd like to have been rewarded with spoken confirmation of it. Also, I'd have liked Thomas to have found love, but I suppose realistically there's no way he could have a gay relationship whilst living at Downton. :(
I'm surprised none of you have commented. Can I take it from your silence that you have no complaints? :)
parkerman
29-12-2015, 10:05
I guess some people would have found the ending too sentimental,
I'm surprised none of you have commented. Can I take it from your silence that you no complaints? :)
You've made my comment for me, Dazzle.
But then I am a man!!!
You've made my comment for me, Dazzle.
But then I am a man!!!
It's those Royal connections you have Mr.P ...:D
Loved those final confrontational scenes delivered by the Dowager .
A really good series comes to an end, whilst on a high, right decision ,had run it's course imo...:cheer:
You've made my comment for me, Dazzle.
But then I am a man!!!
Ha ha....I thought the end would be too sentimental for some. It was very nearly too much for me as well, but just managed to stay on the right side of corny for my taste. :D
Loved those final confrontational scenes delivered by the Dowager .
Do you mean when she instigated the rescue of Lord Merton? That was one of my favourite scenes! :D
I loved it and felt all warm and fluffy, but could have gone a bit more fluffy......
that said it had to end, and end on a lovely soft focus way
Do you mean when she instigated the rescue of Lord Merton? That was once of my favourite scenes! :D
The very one Dazzle...:)
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