“That first series was just the most wonderful thing, and we never would have imagined that all of these people in 250 territories would fall in love with the show”.
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‘It is larger than life, ‘ says Neame.
The underlying plot of the episode – and undoubtedly the whole series – is Downton’s future and whether they can carry on as they are (“Who has an underbutler nowadays?”, is Thomas’s future in doubt?).
But while we all sit and sob into our morning coffee over the prospect of life without Downton, imagine how hard it must be for the actors to have heard the words “that’s a wrap” after filming their final scenes. Michelle, 33, plays Lady Mary Crawley, who has been engaged twice, married, widowed, found a dead Turkish diplomat in her bed, become a mum and, finally, ended up practically running the estate.
Asked if she’s keen to star in a “Downton” film, Phyllis said: “Well, I definitely would”.
Romance is also in the air for Michelle Dockery’s widower Lady Mary, as she falls for racing auto driver Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode), who came into the show at the end of last season.
‘They didn’t have these until [a while] after opening to the public when [only then] did they realise that some members of the public took liberties, ‘ he explains. “We had a bit of a cry”.
Remember to join into ITV at 9pm tonight to see Downton Abbey’s long-awaited return.
Then it’s feet curled up on the sofa, a nice glass or mug of your favourite and the phone on silent – Downton Abbey is back.
“Laura and I are very close and joke that we’ll end up living together as old ladies in a bungalow with 16 cats”. “We’d get two dresses at the beginning of the series and that would be that for six months of shooting”.
Downton films 11-hour days on an 11-day fortnight from February through to August. The woman threatens that Mary’s type is on the way out, while the working class is on the rise, which folds into the theme of change that stirs around these story.
The reality of their situation dawns on Lord Grantham and the rest of the aristocratic family when their neighbour, unable to maintain their property and its staff, is forced to put their sprawling Mallerton estate up for auction.
And after all that, it ended happily ever after.
The girls are all great friends. “She was having such a good time”. Logan is standing outside Highclere’s grand entrance puffing on her electronic cigarette.
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Jim Carter, like most, has mixed feelings. Robbins said. “I catch them looking longingly at the “upstairs” wardrobes”. “It would seem a waste to just be in my wardrobe, because it’s not like I would be swanning around my place doing the washing up in one of Mary’s flapper dresses”.
