As fans of Downton Abbey continue to mourn the shocking deaths of Lady Sybil (Jessica Bwon Findlay) and Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), word that another cast member has left the show has been confirmed and the announcement of new ones joining has been made.
When Downton Abbey returns for its fourth season, it’s been six months since Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) became a widow and single mother, and she is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband. So, the question on nearly everyone’s mind is: Will she find love again? Quite possibly.
Welsh actor Tom Cullen (World Without End) has joined the cast as Lord Gillingham, an old friend of the Crawleys who visits the family for a house party. He sounds positively chuffed about it in this tweet:
“I can announce that I’m in the new season four of Downton Abbey. So excited. My heart is beating a little too fast…”
Ditto English actor Julian Ovenden (The Forsyte Saga), who tweeted this after he signed on for the role of aristocrat Charles Blake:
“Thanks for all the messages. V excited to be going such a great show #DowntonAbbey”
Also joining the cast of the award-winning series are:
- Nigel Harman (EastEnders) as Green, a valet
- Dame Harriet Walter (Law & Order: UK) as Lady Shackleton, an old friend of the Dowager
- Joanna David (First Among Equals) in a guest role as the Duchess of Yeovil
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the famed opera singer, as a guest who sings in the house
If six new cast members weren’t enough to whet your appetite for the new season of Downton, Shirley MacLaine is also reprising her role as Martha Levinson, mother to Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and nemesis to Violet, the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith). MacLaine is set to appear in the Season 4 finale.
Said Carnival Films Managing Director and Downton Abbey Executive Producer Gareth Neame:
“Downton Abbey has seen many great characters visit the house over the years and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the new faces that will be joining the regular cast of Downton Abbey in Season 4. We hope audiences will be as excited about them as we are.”
Added MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton:
“The addition of these characters can only mean more delicious drama — which is what Downton Abbey is all about.”
Now for the goings. Make that going, since it’s a singular departure.
Siobhan Finneran, who played scheming lady’s maid Sarah O’Brien, has left the cast of Downton Abbey (say it ain’t so!) and joined that of the BBC One drama The Syndicate. According to RTE, Finneran confirmed this during the launch event for the latter program’s second season, and that “a rep for the ITV series has confirmed the departure, but said that the character would not be killed off and could potentially return.”
The fourth season of Downton Abbey is currently in production and is set to premiere in the UK later this year.
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