Downton Abbey

[Dazzle]

Great news, and I'm already looking forward to the Christmas special.

[Perdita]

The character to die in this Sunday's Downton Abbey was mistakenly let slip yesterday.

A Spanish influenza pandemic spreads through the Crawley family as the second series reaches its conclusion this weekend.

However, ITV has inadvertently revealed the identity of the departing character by releasing a full cast list for the third serieson its website with one notable omission.

The broadcaster has previously confirmed that the period drama's leads Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Maggie Smith would return next year.

Cora, the Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern), Lavinia Swire (Zoe Boyle) and Carson the Butler (Jim Carter) were all revealed to have the condition in last week's penultimate edition.

The Downton Abbey finale airs this Sunday at 9pm on ITV1.

[alan45]

The following are returning

Spoiler:

“Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jessica Frown Findlay, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Rob James-Collier, Siobhan Finneran, Joanne Froggatt, Brendan Coyle, Allen Leech and Amy Nuttall all return for the third series, which will be written once again by Julian Fellowes and retains the same production team.”

So that means

Spoiler:

LAVINIA

Dies

[parkerman]

Spoiler:

How convenient!

[alan45]

Spoiler:

Yes very

[Perdita]

Things are about to get steamy at the Grantham country house in Downton Abbey.
Viewers will see the Earl of Grantham commit the ultimate betrayal as he shares a steamy kiss with his maid, Jane, on Sunday night.
The second series of the popular period drama will go out with a bang as fans will finally see if Robert Crawley - played by Hugh Bonneville - decides to continue their tryst in the bedroom.

Passionate: The Earl Robert Crawley finds himself in a steamy clinch with his maid Jane on this Sunday's episode of Downton Abbey
Last week the Earl was seen kissing Jane - played by Clare Calbraith - for the first time before quickly apologising, but as his wife Cora lays ill it seems he just can't help himself in the season finale.
'For Lord Grantham to not only cheat on his wife, but with somebody from a lower social class, would be the ultimate betrayal,' said a show insider.
But this won't be the end of the forbidden love affair as ITV bosses revealed yesterday that Downton Abbey will be returning for a third series.

Ultimate betrayal: The Earl kissed his maid in last week's episode but quickly apologised as his wife Cora laid on her sick bed
Hardcore fans will have to wait until next Autumn to get their dose as filming will begin early next year.
Main characters such as Bonneville and his onscreen mother, Dame Maggie Smith, have reportedly negotiated pay rises to stay with the successful award-winning drama.

Julian Fellowes, who penned the script said: 'I am extremely grateful. I have grown very fond of my Downton family and I certainly do not want to say goodbye to them quite yet.'
The highly-anticipated third series will see the famous family tackle the twenties.
ITV’s Head of Drama Commissioning, Laura Mackie, is also pleased that the series will be returning: 'We’re delighted to be bringing Downton Abbey back for a third series, as we follow the inhabitants as they move into the roaring twenties.

'It’s rare to find a drama that the audience connects with so strongly and we’re extremely proud to have commissioned such a phenomenon.'
But for those who feel they just cannot wait until next year don't actually have to wait too long as next month a Downton Christmas special featuring Coronation Street star, Nigel Havers, will be screened.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1cpcEMFZd

[parkerman]

Julian Fellowes, who penned the script said: 'I am extremely grateful. I have grown very fond of my Downton family and I certainly do not want to say goodbye to them quite yet.'

I'll bet he doesn't. Kerching!

[Perdita]

Sunday, 25 December 2011, 9:00PM - 11:00PM


Christmas 1919. Downton Abbey is hosting a lavish Christmas party, yet despite being the season of goodwill, tensions are rife and Bates’s arrest has cast a shadow over the festivities. Will he be a condemned man or will he be found innocent in time for the annual servants ball?

Mary has to consider her future with Sir Richard Carlisle following a contretemps at the shooting party and Violet has concerns about Rosamund, whose new suitor - the dashing but raffish Lord Hepworth, is not all he seems.

[Perdita]

Dan Stevens has dropped some hints about the upcoming Downton Abbey Christmas special.

The actor told What's On TV that the episode may feature another development in the relationship between Matthew and Mary (Michelle Dockery).

"He might be moving on a little bit," he teased. "But there's a lot of things up in the air that need to be resolved."

However, Stevens refused to say too much about what is coming up in the episode.

"Downton has a very big Christmas tree, I can tell you that much," he said. "I can't tell you much else but it's a bit Christmassy."

Meanwhile, ITV has revealed that the two-hour special will be set in 1919 and feature a Christmas party at the Abbey.

However, Bates's arrest will be a hot topic of conversation, Mary will consider her future with Sir Richard Carlisle and the Dowager Countess will be worried about Rosamund's new beau Lord Hepworth (Nigel Havers).

The Downton Abbey special will air at 9pm on ITV1 on Christmas Day.

[alan45]

Fans were gutted when the second series of Downton Abbey came to an end, so no doubt they're longing for Christmas Day to come quicker than usual.

The ITV drama is back for a two-hour long special on December 25 and if the latest images are anything to go by, viewers are going to be left wanting even more.

The festive episode will see various storylines pick up where they left off, but probably most important is the relationship between Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley.
What will happen next? Fans of Downton Abbey will finally get to see if things progress between Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary
Something to hide? Lady Mary gets close to her love interest after her fiancé becomes an unwanted house guest at the New Year's Eve party
In the teasing images, the pair are seen dancing with one another at the New Year's Eve party after Lady Mary's fiancé, Sir Richard Carlisle, becomes an unwanted house guest.

Viewers may finally see the couple get together, after Matthew's fiancee passed away in the last series, as in another images the brunette certainly looks like she has something to hide.
Lavinia Swire told her fiancé on her deathbed that he should get together with his real love so perhaps he is taking her advice.
The episode will also see the residents of upstairs and downstairs come together as they enjoy the servants’ ball and a night of dancing.
In the festive spirit: Lady Mary will spend time with Matthew at the servants' ball which sees the residents of upstairs and downstairs come together
There will also be another first in the form of the staff being given Christmas Day off as Earl Grantham takes charge of the festive lunch in the kitchen.

The main character will continue to testify at the trial of Bates - the valet who is on trial for the murder of his wife, but at the same time the Earl's wife looks to be making a shocking discovery as she is pictured reading a diary.
New chef in Downton: As the staff are given a day off the Earl of Grantham takes to the kitchen to cook Christmas lunch

Caught out: What discovery are the ladies making on Christmas day?
Fans of the show are aware that he shared a passionate kiss with a member of staff in the second series, and will now wonder if his wife is about to find out all about it.

The dramatic episode is sure to be a hit with viewers across the UK as they settle down to enjoy some festive TV after their Christmas dinner - and ITV is certainly hoping so.
All about giving: Some of the characters may receive unwanted gifts on the festive day
The commercial broadcaster is looking to triumph over the BBC this year as its rivals plan to screen a Christmas special of Absolutely Fabulous in the same 9-11pm slot.

But the BBC has the upper hand with soap EastEnders - traditionally the most popular programme on the day.

It's hoping that the combination of the Walford residents and the popular comedy along with a variety of Christmas films will be enough to stop viewers from straying to ITV.
Ongoing trial: Fans of the show will see the Earl of Grantham continue to testify at the case of his valet

Did he, didn't he? Bates is standing trial accused of murdering his estranged wife
But it's not just Christmas Day that they're fighting for as the days afterwards are also important.

BBC One will be showing its new version of Great Expectations in three instalments on December 27 to 29 and on Boxing Day, a double episode of Coronation Street will be pitted against BBC One’s adaptation of The Borrowers, starring Victoria Wood and Stephen Fry.

Christmas at Downton: The two-hour special is likely to feature much festive cheer and lots of stiff upper lip


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1fFn5TTgT