As a dedicated Downton Abbey enthusiast, I find it fascinating to delve into the lives and experiences of the cast members who brought the beloved characters to life. The tales of their journey to the series are as captivating as the show itself.
Six seasons and a movie.
Fans of Downton Abbey were given a treat when the period series premiered in the U.S. on PBS on January 9, 2011. It’s been over 13 years since we met the Crawley family and their staff in their magnificent English countryside estate. Notably, who could forget about Theo James’ character passing away while he was with Michelle Dockery’s Lady Mary during its inaugural season?
As a lifestyle expert, I’d say: In my opinion, the captivating series created by Julian Fellowes has left an indelible mark on pop culture, catapulting talented actors like Jessica Brown Findlay, Dan Stevens, and others into stardom. It also brought one of television’s most iconic characters to life – none other than Dame Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess, a character known for her witty remarks and cutting insults that have since become internet sensations. (It’s worth noting that the Dowager Countess was just one of the many remarkable roles Dame Maggie Smith graced before her passing at the age of 89 on September 27.)
After completing its initial broadcast in 2015, audiences revisited Downton Abbey when the first movie was released in cinemas in September 2019, and then they returned again with Downton Abbey: A New Era hitting the screens in May 2022.
Regarding Smith, she won a total of three Emmys during the show’s six-season span, and went on to play the same character in the movie versions released in 2019 and 2022.
However, when asked about her feelings towards her celebrity standing, Smith replied to CBS News in 2013, “Completely none. I wonder, why should I?
She went on to say, “I still feel much as I did earlier, and I’m somewhat puzzled about its significance, but it seems that more people recognize me since my appearance in Downton Abbey. Now, I am known by many, while before I was not so well-known. This newfound recognition is solely thanks to the power of television.
To honor Smith and her remarkable achievements, let’s share exclusive insights into the making of the show, such as the actual cause of the series’ most unexpected demise and the close call when one actor nearly didn’t attend their audition.
We’re not Laura Linney and this is 15 secrets about Downton Abbey being revealed…
The concept for the period drama was influenced by the creator Julian Fellowes’ personal background, as his mother hadn’t followed the customary debutante path due to a diplomat father. He shared this family tale with Closer magazine, explaining that his great aunts disapproved of her initially because they believed she had “caught” (romantically involved with) his father and never warmed up to her. However, their attitudes changed when she gave birth to four healthy sons, fulfilling her role in the family lineage.
2. Oh, did we mention Fellowes is actually a Baron and a member of the House of Lords?
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but gleefully declare that, in an exclusive conversation with Backstage, the illustrious casting director Jill Trevellick confessed we nailed our top picks for every role! The magnificent Maggie Smith, the captivating Hugh Bonneville, the radiant Michelle Dockery, and the dashing Dan Stevens were all the leading contenders for their characters. What a dream cast, indeed!
4. Finding the ideal actor for the role of valet John Bates proved to be the most challenging, as it took over 60 candidates to finally secure Brendan Coyle for the part. The studio had reservations about Coyle’s suitability due to a highly specific concern.
Trevellick stated that they considered Brendan for the role from the beginning. In fact, Julian specifically wrote the part with Brendan in mind because he was impressed by him in “North and South” and felt he was perfect for it. We brought Brendan on board early, but there were some concerns at the broadcast level, not because they disliked Brendan, but because his previous role in a period piece might conflict with another channel’s programming. However, I believe we eventually convinced them.
Six weeks later, they were able to offer Coyle the part.
5. The first shocking instance in Downton Abbey occurred when the charismatic main character, Matthew Crawley, met a tragic end in the season finale of the third series. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly about his departure at the conclusion of his three-year agreement, Stevens admitted that many viewers were deeply upset and requested apologies.
He shared his reasons for leaving Downton Abbey, stating, “Working on a long-running television series had its perks in numerous ways. However, currently, I’m interested in finding new avenues to stimulate and amuse myself.
6. During an interview with TopMob News, Fellowes clarified that it was Steven who decided to depart (and did not reappear for a cameo in season four), which ultimately resulted in his character’s unexpected end.
As an avid fan, it struck me that it appeared as if the production team had casually decided this, but in reality, he had simply reached the conclusion of his three-year contract and yearned for fresh challenges. We had to find a way to make it work. Some of the letters I received left me absolutely spellbound!
7. Despite the tragic demise of Matthew, the season four premiere still drew massive audiences, breaking ratings records with a staggering 10.2 million viewers tuning in.
8. According to Stevens, if he had informed Fellowes earlier about his decision to depart the series, he would have altered Lady Sybil’s departure scene: “I likely would have written a shared fate for them in a car accident.
9. Highclere Castle served as the backdrop for the popular TV show Downton Abbey, transforming the historic 17th-century estate into a top tourist attraction in the U.K. In an extraordinary turn of events, this tranquil haven was listed on Airbnb, giving two enthusiasts the unique opportunity to spend a night within the grand 100,000 square-foot castle before the movie’s release in September 2019.
10. However, some tenants might have encountered a ghost, as the historical advisor for the show revealed the widely-circulated supernatural legend in an interview with Travel + Leisure.
Alastair Bruce shared that Jean Margaret Herbert, the Countess of Carnarvon, appeared pale when he told her about the opening scene of the show. He went on to say that Daisy sets everyone in motion by getting the house cleaned before Lord Grantham descends, and Mrs. Hughes is busy overseeing things while the camera zeroes in on a chain around her waist holding all the keys. The Countess was startled because there’s a ghost living at the house who used to be a housekeeper. You can tell she’s present because you hear the jangling of keys at the end of her chain.
11. As a lifestyle expert, I must share an interesting tidbit about Laura Carmichael. Despite Downton Abbey being the role that truly catapulted her to fame, she nearly missed out on the opportunity to audition for the show herself.
Due to her role in a traveling adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” Carmichael confessed to the Tribune News Service, “I assumed it would be a quick ‘Yes, milord,’ a brief filming experience with just one line. I thought getting TV work on my resume would be beneficial. However, I found myself facing a difficult choice: turning down this exciting Shakespearean opportunity for a television job. I thought, ‘This could turn into a major setback!’
12. In 2012, it was disclosed that Gillian Anderson declined the role of Cora Crawley, which eventually went to Elizabeth McGovern, portraying the character of the American heiress-turned-Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.
13. According to Vanity Fair, Queen Elizabeth II was an enthusiastic viewer of the show and enjoyed verifying facts for amusement. “She enjoys spotting the errors,” claimed author Brian Hoey in an interview with People. Prince William has also confessed to watching the series, as reported by star Allan Leech.
In 2013, I reminisced on Watch What Happens Live, recalling a memorable encounter when I shook his hand and he admitted, “I’m a huge fan of the show, but these days my wife and newborn baby keep me pretty busy.” Clearly, he’s finding some spare moments to unwind, so [Kate Middleton] must have convinced him to give it a try: “You’re going to watch it with me!
14. Smith, who played Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, admitted to never watching the series.
She shared with The Telegraph her decision to postpone reviewing her work, explaining, “I’ll take a look when everything is finished, possibly, as it’s quite frustrating.” She admitted, “I always find things I wish I could change, and I think, ‘What on earth possessed me to do that?’
15. Since it was a period drama, the female actors frequently donned corsets beneath their outfits, causing “authentic difficulties,” as per costume designer Susannah Buxton.
She shared with The Mirror that it was a difficult ordeal for them. They felt extremely uneasy. It requires getting accustomed to, and naturally, the girls aren’t familiar with it. They were fitted so tightly that the cast members couldn’t even eat while wearing them.
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2024-09-28 14:18