Downton Abbey

[parkerman]

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.

Yes, life isn't worth living without Downton Abbey. I'd gladly give away two months of my life just to see Downton Abbey back on our screens...er..

[Perdita]

Yes, life isn't worth living without Downton Abbey. I'd gladly give away two months of my life just to see Downton Abbey back on our screens...er..

I don't have to give away any time of my life to see Downton Abbei back on my tv screen ... Santa is bringing me the box set of Series 1 and 2

[alan45]

Yes, life isn't worth living without Downton Abbey. I'd gladly give away two months of my life just to see Downton Abbey back on our screens...er..

The clue was in the first word of the quoted sentence ''FANS'' not cynics

[Chloe O'brien]

I don't have to give away any time of my life to see Downton Abbei back on my tv screen ... Santa is bringing me the box set of Series 1 and 2

Lucky you Perdy I hope Santa has a spare one for me, to keep me entertain during these long dark nights.

[Perdita]

Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle has promised that the Christmas special has some "intense" scenes.

Coyle, who plays Bates, explained that it was strange shooting scenes in which Bates has to go to court.

"[It was] very atmospheric and intense, especially filming in the cells," Coyle told TV Choice magazine.

"Courts are designed to make you feel small, so when I walked up the stairs into the dock, it was pretty intimidating."

Coyle also revealed that the episodes scripts were "amazing" and explained that he is looking forward to seeing what happens to the other characters.

However, Coyle joked that he can reveal "absolutely nothing" about the instalment, quipping: "It's been nice talking to you and I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I've spoken to the producers and I just can't say."

Coyle's co-star Dan Stevens has previously hinted that the episode, which will air at 9pm on ITV1 on Christmas Day, will feature further developments in the relationship between Matthew and Mary.

[Katy]

yay! Im so glad there doing a christmas special.

Iveboth series now on dvd and there so good to put in on these dark cold sunday afternoons.

[Chloe O'brien]

I was in Asda on Monday and they have series 1 & 2 in a boxset for £26 so I think I may be getting that from Marley or the Senna dvd or a couple of cd's

[Perdita]

DOWNTON ABBEY baddie Thomas Barrow finally meets his match – when he clashes with the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
The scheming footman dances with Lady Violet Crawley, played by Dame Maggie Smith, at the servants' ball in a special episode of the ITV1 drama on Christmas Day.

But actor Rob James-Collier, who plays Thomas, admits he got off on the wrong foot with the 76-year-old Dame when he stepped on her toe.

Former Corrie hunk Rob, 35, said: "I was nervous about it because I can't actually dance — unless it's breakdancing. Maggie was OK though. We had a laugh.

"I stood on her toe and got the death-ray glare but I got through it. It was extremely nerve-racking."

His clumsy efforts could be down to the fact he missed the start of rehearsals — to get his hair cut.

Rob added: "Due to the fact I was having a 'Thomas haircut' that day, I missed the first 30 minutes of rehearsals and found that I couldn't keep up.

"I have two left feet and cannot waltz or indeed dance for toffee. But we had a laugh and she was so great. I think she humoured me and my two left feet."

Rob, who first found fame as Liam Connor in Coronation Street, added: "I suggested we do the lift from Dirty Dancing but she wasn't convinced I had the upper-body strength."

The Christmas special sees Thomas back and firmly stuck in his role as footman — once more desperately seeking promotion to be valet to the Earl (Hugh Bonneville).

But he is as bad as ever and fans will be appalled to see him kidnap the Earl's beloved labrador and hide him in a shed so he can later reunite the pair and win brownie points.

The episode is not due to air until Christmas Day — but Rob is already getting abuse off his friends, family and cast members about the plot.
He said: "I've been getting loads of stick for what he does to the dog. But a shed is bigger than a kennel.

"There was straw in there. It's not like I kicked him in. But it's what you do in desperation. Thomas has lost everything on the black market, he's doing what he can to get where he wants to go. He's misunderstood!"

Rob already gets shouted at by pensioners for Thomas's misdeeds and endless scheming with ladies' maid Sarah O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) but he admits most fans love to hate him and are annoyed when he shows his softer side.


He said: "It's pantomime-esque, playful banter. I go into a post office and get booed and families give me a hard time in cafes — but sometimes they offer to pay for coffee! So it works both ways.
"If I show a softer side of the character, people are offended by that. I get stick for going soft."

Thomas is the only gay character in the show — but has not had a love interest in the last series.

Rob insists he has no idea what is in store for series three, which starts filming in February.

He said: "Whatever come along, we'll see what happens. Becoming a valet would be all right since he's been going on about it for more than two series."

The show has been a huge success around the world and dubbed into many languages.

But Rob admits that hearing the sexy tones of the Spanish actor whose voice is used over his has left him too scared to visit Spanish-speaking countries on holiday — in case he disappoints the locals.

He said: "The man who dubs my voice in Spanish has an infinitely deeper and much more sexy voice than mine. If I ever meet any fans out there, they will be left feeling very short-changed."

The show has got huge ratings globally.

But Rob admits he felt most thrilled when he discovered a certain flamboyant dancer and TV personality enjoyed the show.

He said: "Louie Spence is a fan! He loves it."

The two-hour Downton Abbey special, set over Christmas 1919, will be on ITV1 at 9pm on Christmas Day.


DOWNTON ABBEY star Dan Stevens says wife Susie is so keen on the show he has to hide the storylines.

The actor, who plays Matthew Crawley, admits his on-off relationship with Lady Mary has gripped her as much as the public.

He said: "Keeping scripts from my wife is the biggest challenge."


The Sun

[alan45]

DOWNTON ABBEY star Rob James-Collier has come a long way since his days earning cash by flogging wedding suit hire on the side of vans.
The actor, who plays scheming Thomas Barrow, signed up for the ad campaign in 2008.

He has also done catalogue modelling for Argos.

Rob got his big break in Coronation Street in 2006, playing Liam Connor.

In Downtown's Christmas Day special the footman is a bad lad again.

Rob said: "Thomas has lost everything on the black market. He's just doing what he can to get where he wants to go."

[tammyy2j]