Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle has revealed that the cast know when the show will end.

The actor, who plays valet John Bates, joked that the hit period drama would turn into Emmerdale if it continued into a more recent era.

"I can pretty much say all of us know when Downton is going to end," Coyle told the Radio Times.

"This is a show with a finite life. If we bring this into the '50s, it's Emmerdale."

Speaking of his own character, who is accused of his wife's murder, he added: "Bates was in the Boer War. He would have killed a lot of people. Does that mean he can kill his wife? What does it do to you?"

Insiders have predicted that Downton Abbey will run for two more series, before drawing to a close when key actors move on to other projects.

Jessica Brown Findlay, who *played Lady Sybil, is already filming Winter's Tale with Russell Crowe, while Michelle Dockery and Rob James-Collier apparently want to launch US careers.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes recently revealed that he is interested in creating a prequel to the series, focusing on the beginning of the relationship between Cora and Robert.

Downton Abbey
Episode: 8 of 8
Sunday, 4 November 2012, 9:00PM - 10:30PM
Drama

There is excitement in the house and village as the annual cricket match approaches, and it brings out Robert’s competitive side.

As Violet’s great niece Rose arrives, a trip to London reveals there is more to her than meets the eye.

Thomas’s future is in Carson’s hands, but Bates may be an unlikely ally.

What secrets are Mary and Matthew holding back from each other?

Downton Abbey
Episode: 8 of 8
Sunday, 4 November 2012, 9:00PM - 10:30PM
Drama

There is excitement in the house and village as the annual cricket match approaches, and it brings out Robert’s competitive side.

As Violet’s great niece Rose arrives, a trip to London reveals there is more to her than meets the eye.

Thomas’s future is in Carson’s hands, but Bates may be an unlikely ally.

What secrets are Mary and Matthew holding back from each other?

Glad to see Bates has finally got a chance to be freed,especially for a crime he didn't commit.I wonder if he'll get his old job back.

We’ve had a wedding, a jilting, a birth, a tragic death and many more moments of high drama. Let’s face it, Sunday nights just won’t be the same without Downton Abbey!

It’s been another wildly successful year for British television’s poshest period series. Nudging 10 million viewers per episode, it’s one of the few shows to match and even eclipse the ratings of TV juggernauts such as The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and the big three soaps.

Highlights of the third run have included Hollywood legend Shirley MacLaine’s guest role as an outspoken American heiress, Matthew and Lady Mary’s wedding and Lady Sybil dying shortly after giving birth.

But without doubt the most heart-warming storyline of the series has been the romantic reunion of Anna and her jailbird hubby John Bates.
http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/arti...Downton+Abbey+
Bowled over: Bates and Anna attend the annual cricket match
ITV

Lord Grantham’s valet was wrongly banged up for murdering his ex-wife Vera. And Brendan Coyle admits that being locked away from the rest of the Downton characters felt very real.

“I did feel isolated and very removed from the main show,” admits Brendan, who plays Bates. “Most of my scenes were filmed in Lincoln where there’s a perfectly preserved Victorian prison.”

Thankfully, after some impressive amateur sleuthing, Bates’ dutiful missus was able to find the vital evidence which secured his release. Joanna Froggatt, who plays Anna, says her character’s tireless determination to prove her husband’s innocence confirms their devotion to each other.

“Anna has always had 100 per cent faith in John,” says Joanna. “She’s completely in love with him. From the moment they first met, Anna has had the feeling that Bates is a really decent guy. That’s why she fell for him.”

Last week, the couple were reunited at Downton and Bates was reinstated as the Earl’s valet.

This week, in the season finale, Bates proves to be an unlikely ally for scheming Thomas – who was not pleased to see John back at the Great House.

Elsewhere, Mary and Matthew may have been hiding secrets from each other, and the annual cricket match causes much excitement.

Downton Abbey is now a huge hit in America, where it has stormed the ratings and was recently nominated for 16 Emmy awards. Joanne admits attending such glitzy events is a real perk of the job.

“Award ceremonies in America are on such a huge scale,” she says. “It takes about 90 minutes to get down the red carpet and I was totally star struck to see actor Chris Noth, who plays Mr Big from Sex And The City.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previe...etween-1413510

Dame Maggie Smith has been taken to hospital suffering from chest pains.

The Downton Abbey actress was admitted on Friday (November 2) after complaining of severe pains, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The 77-year-old, who stars as Violet Crawley in the ITV1 drama, was taken to a cardiac unit at the Wellington Hospital, London and reportedly underwent a series of tests before being discharged later that day.

A source told the newspaper that "it was a big scare" for Smith, adding: "It was extremely distressing for her but she did the right thing and made sure she got to hospital as soon as possible."

The insider went on to question Smith's future in Downton Abbey, saying that she would "have to think very carefully now about whether she stays in the show".

"Her health always comes first and I am sure she will take advice from the experts," they added.

Smith has previously suffered from breast cancer, and in 2009 revealed that she thought about ending her career after going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has confirmed that a fourth series of the period drama is likely. :cheer::cheer::cheer:


He continued: "I am pleased with this [third] series. I thought it worked well.

"It seems to me that the actors have made a very good job of it and the audience response has been great and they kept watching."

Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle - who plays Bates - recently claimed that he and his fellow cast members know when the show will end, since it has a "finite life".

Downton Abbey has been picked up for a fourth series.

The Emmy-winning period drama will return to ITV1 in autumn 2013 with eight new episodes.

A special extended episode will also air at Christmas 2013, with filming set to begin in February next year.

Gareth Neame - exec producer - said: "Viewers can look forward to more drama, comedy, love, hatred, jealousy, rivalry, ambition, despair and romance."

Laura Mackie, Director of Drama at ITV, added: "We're thrilled to welcome back a drama series that has become a much anticipated part of all our lives every autumn and achieved success around the globe.

"Creator, writer and executive producer Julian Fellowes and the production team, led by Gareth and the producer Liz Trubridge, never rest on their laurels and have exciting plans for the fourth series."

Downton Abbey will also return to ITV1 this Christmas for a two-hour festive special, to air on December 25 at 9pm.

"We hope the Downton family of viewers will gather together to watch this major TV event as a shared Christmas night experience," said Mackie.

"Last year's special episode set the nation talking on Boxing Day and 2012's Christmas Day episode is no different.

"As ever, Downton will take its audience through a whole range of emotions. All of life's experiences will feature in this episode. This is one episode you will want to see live with millions of others - and best have the tissues ready."

:cheer::cheer::cheer: YES!!! It's coming back for a forth series I can't wait. I love Downton. It's a rare thing for me to enjoy a British tv programme were I love all the characters.(yes even O'Brien) I can't wait to see the two hour special on Christmas Day. A word of warning to Mr Fellows if he causes heartbreak for Matthew and Mary he will have me to deal with. What he did to Lady Sybil was despicable.

Ohhhh nooo, Kath, looks like bad news :(

Dan Stevens will reportedly not return for the fourth series of Downton Abbey.

The actor is said to be taking part in the first episode of the new series, due to air next year, but will then depart the costume drama.

Although the reports have not officially been confirmed by ITV, a source from the show's production team told the Sunday Express: "Dan Stevens isn't returning to the series. He will probably do the first episode of the fourth series, but that will be it."

On Thursday (November 23), ITV confirmed that Downton Abbey has been picked up for a fourth series and a Christmas special in 20

However, Stevens will be appearing in this year's two-hour Christmas episode, which sees the Grantham family travel to Scotland, leaving the majority of the servants behind.

The 30-year-old actor is currently in the US performing in Broadway show The Heiress with Jessica Chastain.

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