Downton Abbey

[Perdita]

Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens has spoken about his shock departure from the show.

The actor, whose character Matthew Crawley was killed off in last night's (December 25) Christmas special, made the decision not to renew his contract back in February.

"We were always optioned for three years. And when that came up it was a very difficult decision," Stevens told The Daily Telegraph.

"But it felt like a good time to take stock, to take a moment. From a personal point of view, I wanted a chance to do other things. It is a very monopolising job.

"So there is a strange sense of liberation at the same time as great sadness because I am very, very fond of the show and always will be."

Stevens will be on stage as Morris Townsend in The Heiress in New York until February. He's also in talks to star in a new movie based on the story of WikiLeaks.

"It is a desire for freedom really," he added. "I don't see money or a particular status as an actor as a goal but I want to do the best work I can in as interesting a range of roles as I can.

"And I think a moment like this is quite unique and presents those opportunities more than ever before.

"None of us had any idea of how successful Downton was going to be. I thought I was signing up for another period drama that had a slightly modern feel.

"It had a freedom about it because it was coming out of the head of Julian Fellowes. Anything could happen and generally did.

"It was very emotional shooting the end of this series, because those guys are like family. We have been living together for three years and have been on the most amazing journey.

"I don't think any of us, with the possible exception of Maggie [Smith], have had this kind of explosion in our career paths, and may never again. It has been so bizarre, and only those who have been through it can understand it."

ITV wished him "every success for the future" and confirmed that Michelle Dockery will be returning to her role as Lady Mary in series four, which begins production in February.


Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s183/...#ixzz2oglkti6J

[alan45]

I couldnt bring myself to watch 20 secs never mind a whole episode! stupid waste of time! in my opinion but everyone else, feel free to watch!! lol

Thanks Dave we will. In fact tomorrow night with a bottle or two of wine

[alan45]

I couldnt bring myself to watch 20 secs never mind a whole episode! stupid waste of time! in my opinion but everyone else, feel free to watch!! lol

Thanks Dave we will. In fact tomorrow night with a bottle or two of wine

[deadlydave]

I would need 3 or 4 bottles of the finest Russian stuff to watch a minute of the Downton Shabbey!!!

[alan45]

Due to a hectic night in work I may have to put off my viewing of the wonderful Downton Abbey until I sober up tomorrow

[parkerman]

Julian Felllows is a despicable man.

Why?

[alan45]

Julian Fellowes has revealed that he felt there was no choice but to kill Downtown Abbey character Matthew Crawley in the Christmas Day special.

In the festive edition, viewers saw Matthew - played by Dan Stevens - meet his end in a motoring accident.

Fellowes told The Daily Telegraph that Stevens's decision to leave the period drama meant he "didn't really have an option" but to kill the character on screen.

He said: "We would have loved to keep him. We would have loved to keep Jessica [Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil Crawley] too.

"We have always tried to persuade him to stay. He had done fantastically well for the series and his creation of Matthew was terrific.

"But this is life. Dan felt that this was right thing for him, and the right moment to move on to different areas."

The screenwriter said that he would have been open to keeping Matthew alive if Stevens agreed to guest appearances in future, but the actor was adamant that he wanted to move on from the role.

"If he had been prepared to come back for maybe two or three episodes in a series, that would be different. Then we could have had a foreign posting or invented a career that would have made it possible for him to be away," Fellowes explained.

"Otherwise we would have had to make this tremendously successful love affair between Mary and Matthew unhappy, which I didn't feel would be believable.

"For them to then separate and Matthew never set eyes on his son again would not be believable either."

He added: "We didn't really have any option. By him dying, their love can remain in tact."

Stevens will now appear on stage in The Heiress in New York until February and is reportedly in talks for a film based on the story of WikiLeaks.

[alan45]

Julian Fellowes has revealed that he felt there was no choice but to kill Downtown Abbey character Matthew Crawley in the Christmas Day special.

In the festive edition, viewers saw Matthew - played by Dan Stevens - meet his end in a motoring accident.

Fellowes told The Daily Telegraph that Stevens's decision to leave the period drama meant he "didn't really have an option" but to kill the character on screen.

He said: "We would have loved to keep him. We would have loved to keep Jessica [Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil Crawley] too.

"We have always tried to persuade him to stay. He had done fantastically well for the series and his creation of Matthew was terrific.

"But this is life. Dan felt that this was right thing for him, and the right moment to move on to different areas."

The screenwriter said that he would have been open to keeping Matthew alive if Stevens agreed to guest appearances in future, but the actor was adamant that he wanted to move on from the role.

"If he had been prepared to come back for maybe two or three episodes in a series, that would be different. Then we could have had a foreign posting or invented a career that would have made it possible for him to be away," Fellowes explained.

"Otherwise we would have had to make this tremendously successful love affair between Mary and Matthew unhappy, which I didn't feel would be believable.

"For them to then separate and Matthew never set eyes on his son again would not be believable either."

He added: "We didn't really have any option. By him dying, their love can remain in tact."

Stevens will now appear on stage in The Heiress in New York until February and is reportedly in talks for a film based on the story of WikiLeaks.

[Chloe O'brien]

Why?

1) Lady Edith being jilted at alter. (Okay he really wasn't the man for her but still)
2) Killing off Lady Sybil!!!!!!
3) Killing off Matthew. The end of Mary & Matthew. HOW COULD HE :cry:

[Chloe O'brien]

Why?

1) Lady Edith being jilted at alter. (Okay he really wasn't the man for her but still)
2) Killing off Lady Sybil!!!!!!
3) Killing off Matthew. The end of Mary & Matthew. HOW COULD HE