Will the cast and crew be able to keep Downton's Christmas secret under wraps?

By Sara Nathan

Last updated at 9:35 AM on 14th December 2011


With a break-up, punch-up, animal cruelty and an unexpected romantic twist, it sounds more like a soap opera than a drama set in a stately home.

But this is what’s in store for viewers during the Christmas episode of Downton Abbey.

While full details of the plot remain under wraps until Christmas Day, the cast have let slip a few clues.

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Feast for viewers: Lady Violet Crawley (left) and the Earl of Grantham (right) at the dinner table during Downton Abbey's Christmas special

Gunning for it: Sir Richard Carlisle, Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley head out with a shooting party

Romance on the Christmas cards? Downton addicts are hoping to discover if Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley become an item

But there is still no answer to the question on every Downton’s fans lips – will Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley finally get together?

Matthew’s fiancée passed away in the last series as the house was hit by Spanish flu. Following a screening of the much-anticipated Christmas special yesterday, the audience were banned from revealing the plot.

And Dan Stevens, 29, who plays dashing Matthew – the heir to the Downton Abbey estate – admitted he had even been forced to hide the scripts from his wife.

Tensions: Scheming footman Thomas Barrow dances with Lady Violet at the servants' ball

Strictly Come Downton: Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora) dances with Jim Carter (Mr Carson), left, and Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes) with Hugh Bonneville (the Earl of Grantham)

However, it has been revealed that the two-hour special, set over the festive season in 1919, features a New Year ball, for those from both upstairs and downstairs.
Even the strait-laced Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Dame Maggie Smith, takes a turn on the floor – for a waltz.
Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley, said: ‘I was sat with Maggie watching the others between takes. Maggie and I were shouting numbers, almost like in Strictly Come Dancing, giving them scores. We had a real laugh watching everyone.’
It seems the dancing proved a challenge for some of the cast.

Intrigue: The family sit down for lunch after the shoot finishes, but many cracks will open up in the special

Festive: Lesley Nicol as Mrs Patmore and Sophie McShera as Daisy make mince pies

Good tidings: Sir Richard Carlisle, Lady Mary, Cora and Matthew Crawley exchange Christmas presents

Jim Carter, who plays the butler Mr Carson, said: ‘I still find it difficult to talk and waltz, as in my head I’m going “One, two, three, one, two, three”.
‘So when people wanted to engage me in a bright and lively conversation I was a bit dismayed.’
The cast said they were not worried about going head to head with BBC soap EastEnders, despite the fact that the show won the festive ratings battle last year.
Director Brian Percival said the production team made the show ‘for the viewers’ and not as a ratings vehicle.

Special screening: Stars of the hit show - including Hugh Bonneville and his wife Lulu (left), and creator Julian Fellowes with his wife Lady Emma Kitchener- at a screening of the Christmas Day episode in London last night

He said: ‘We don’t want to be competitive with anybody. If you make TV to do that it is the kiss of death.’

The stars of the drama, which has only been on air for 16 months, will begin filming a third series in February. And yesterday it was announced that ITV chiefs have already commissioned a two-hour Christmas special for 2012.

This year’s special will be on ITV1 at 9pm on Christmas Day.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2073828/Downton-Abbey-Christmas-special-Will-cast-crew-able-wraps.html#ixzz1gVE47RrR

SPOILER ALERT: Downton Abbey Christmas special photos

SPOILER ALERT: Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley get close at New Year's Eve party in Downton Abbey Christmas special

By Kirsty Mccormack

Last updated at 8:50 AM on 1st December 2011


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.

The ITV drama is back for a two-hour long special on December 25 and if the latest images are anything to go by, viewers are going to be left wanting even more.

The festive episode will see various storylines pick up where they left off, but probably most important is the relationship between Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens).

What will happen next? Fans of Downton Abbey will finally get to see if things progress between Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary

Something to hide? Lady Mary gets close to her love interest after her fiancé becomes an unwanted house guest at the New Year's Eve party

In the teasing images, the pair are seen dancing with one another at the New Year's Eve party after Lady Mary's fiancé, Sir Richard Carlisle (Iain Glen) becomes an unwanted house guest.

Viewers may finally see the couple get together, after Matthew's fiancée passed away in the last series, as in another images the brunette certainly looks like she has something to hide.

Lavinia Swire (Zoe Boyle) told her fiancé on her deathbed that he should get together with his real love so perhaps he is taking her advice.

In the festive spirit: Lady Mary will spend time with Matthew at the servants' ball which sees the residents of upstairs and downstairs come together

Tension: Lady Mary and Sir Richard Carlisle (Iain Glen) don't exactly look like a typical engaged couple

The episode will also see the residents of upstairs and downstairs come together as they enjoy the servants’ ball and a night of dancing.

There will also be another first in the form of the staff being given Christmas Day off as Earl Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) takes charge of the festive lunch in the kitchen.

The main character will continue to testify at the trial of Bates (Brendan Coyle) - the valet who is on trial for the murder of his wife, but at the same time the Earl's wife, the Countess Of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) looks to be making a shocking discovery as she is pictured reading a diary.

New chef in Downton: As the staff are given a day off the Earl of Grantham takes to the kitchen to cook Christmas lunch

So what do you think of the Earl's cooking? Lady Rosamund's maid Marigold (Sharon Small) watches footman Thomas Barrow (Rob-James Collier) dishing out his Christmas pudding

Caught out: What discovery are Lady Rosamund (Samantha Bond), Lady Mary and head housemaid Anna (Joanne Froggatt) making on Christmas day?

Fans of the show are aware that he shared a passionate kiss with housemaid Jane (Clare Calbraith) in the second series, and will now wonder if his wife is about to find out all about it.

The dramatic episode is sure to be a hit with viewers across the UK as they settle down to enjoy some festive TV after their Christmas dinner - and ITV is certainly hoping so.

All about giving: Some of the characters may receive unwanted gifts on the festive day

And what, I pray, is this? The Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith) unwraps her son's present

The commercial broadcaster is looking to triumph over the BBC this year as its rivals plan to screen a Christmas special of Absolutely Fabulous in the same 9-11pm slot.

But the BBC has the upper hand with soap EastEnders - traditionally the most popular programme on the day.

It's hoping that the combination of the Walford residents and the popular comedy along with a variety of Christmas films will be enough to stop viewers from straying to ITV.

Ongoing trial: Fans of the show will see the Earl of Grantham continue to testify at the case of his valet

Did he, didn't he? Bates is standing trial accused of murdering his estranged wife

But it's not just Christmas Day that they're fighting for as the days afterwards are also important.

BBC One will be showing its new version of Great Expectations in three instalments on December 27 to 29 and on Boxing Day, a double episode of Coronation Street will be pitted against BBC One’s adaptation of The Borrowers, starring Victoria Wood and Stephen Fry.

Keeping entertained: Lady Mary leads the lords and ladies in a game of charades

Playing with fire: Thomas and Sarah O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) play with a ouija board

Christmas at Downton: The two-hour special is likely to feature much festive cheer and lots of stiff upper lip

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2068407/Downton-Abbey-Lady-Mary-Matthew-Crawley-close-New-Years-Eve-party-Christmas-special.html#ixzz1fHFVZMwo

ITV and BBC go head-to-head on the big day.Can Downton shoot down Strictly this Christmas?

Can Downton shoot down Strictly this Christmas? ITV and BBC go head-to-head on the big day

• The smash-hit shows are to be placed at the heart of their festive schedules
• Downton Abbey to be screened at 9pm while Strictly Come Dancing airs later

By Paul Revoir

Last updated at 2:05 AM on 24th November 2011

They are two of the biggest TV hits of the broadcasting year. But now Downton Abbey and Strictly Come Dancing are to go head to head on Christmas Day in the annual battle for millions of festive viewers.

The broadcasters are placing the smash hit shows at the heart of their festive schedules and will compete to be the most watched programme on December 25.

ITV are set to put the ratings-winning drama - starring Hugh Bonneville and Dame Maggie Smith, on at 9pm - while Strictly is set to air in a slightly earlier slot.

It's war: ITV and the BBC prepare to go head to head with their most popular shows - Downton Abbey (pictured) and Strictly Come Dancing

This comes as terrestrial broadcasters are expected to air more than 380 hours of repeats between them in the two week period around Christmas Day.

BBC1 and BBC2 are between them almost certain to air well in excess of 100 hours of repeats in the fortnight up to December 30, including a Royle Family special and the Two Ronnies.

According to the first drafts of festive schedules, ITV will air something like 120 hours of repeats and old films including Santa Clause: The Movie, Polar Express, E.T, Miracle on 34th Street, Towering Inferno, Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets and The Railway Children.

Channel 5 is also set to break the century mark for repeats over the period, with tens of hours also expected for Channel 4 as well.

Festive foxtrot: The BBC will be pulling out all the stops with its Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special - but it will screen the programme earlier than Downton Abbey's 9pm start

These figures are only a start as channels have yet to finalise what will appear, with a much larger slew of old shows expected when the time comes.

But amidst all the vintage programming on ITV, the festive instalment of Downton Abbey is the stand-out programme in its Christmas line-up.

While not all details are known about the episode, it will see the introduction of Nigel Havers as the suave Lord Hepworth who is said to bring romantic intrigue to the series, by charming Earl Grantham’s sister Lady Rosamund.

Meanwhile, the celebrity edition of Strictly Come Dancing features Hi-De-Hi favourite Su Pollard, boxer Barry McGuigan, singer Simon Webbe, comedienne Debra Stephenson, EastEnders’ actress Charlie Brooks.

Familiar favourites: Both networks are expected to pad out their festive schedule with repeats of popular programmes, such as ITV's Midsomer Murders (pictured)

As tradition requires, ITV is packing its schedule with repeats of shows like Midsomer Murders, Poirot, Miss Marple, You’ve Been Framed.

Other films are set to include Notting Hill, K-9, Cats and Dogs, Gladiator, Vertigo, Happy Feet, March of The Penguins and King Ralph.

The BBC has only released a fraction of its schedule, which apart from children’ s programmes such as Horrible Histories Horrible Christmas also includes repeats of The Two Ronnies Sketchbook and The Royle Family Christmas Special. Observers are predicting that there will be more repeats than ever this year as a result of the financial climate.

Among the other shows set to challenge Strictly and Downton Abbey over the Christmas period will be Ray Winstone starring in an adaption of Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations, the Doctor Who Christmas special as well as the soaps EastEnders and Coronation Street.

The BBC is also showing adventure film The Borrowers, starring Stephen Fry and Victoria Wood and a re-working of Jim’ll Fix It with Shane Ritchie and and animated version of the hugely popular children’s book, The Gruffalo’s Child.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2065459/Downton-Abbey-Strictly-Come-Dancing-head-head-Christmas-day.html#ixzz1edHnbY00

Downton Abbey breaks record for biggest drama audience in a decade as the second series comes to a thrilling close

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 10:57 AM on 8th November 2011


It faced some criticism halfway through the second series with many viewers complaining that it was moving to fast and some of the storyline were rather far-fetched.

But Downton Abbey has had the last laugh after 10million viewers tuned in to last night's finale, its best ever overnight audience, and the largest audience for a drama in a decade.

The last episode averaged 10.5million viewers and a 38.8% audience share from 9pm, rising to 10.7million when the repeat channel, ITV1+1, viewing is included.

Grand finale: Last night's Downton Abbey, which saw maid Anna marry valet John Bates, saw 10million viewers tune in

It also gained a lot of viewers from the X Factor results show which was on right before it and which averaged 12.1million viewers and a 41.8% share from 8pm, rising to 12.3million with ITV1+1.

And Downton's final episode was up from the 10.1million and 37.7% for the final episode of series in November 2010.


The show will return next year for a third series set after the Armistice and through the 1920s.

Last night, fans were left gripped by an extended episode which saw an outbreak of Spanish flu hit the stately home and claim the life of Downton heir Matthew Crawley's fiancée Miss Lavinia Swire.

Tragedy: Viewers saw Miss Lavinia Swire, the fiancée of Downton heir Matthew Crawley, die from Spanish flu in last night's finale

Head maid Anna Smith finally married her valet beau John Bates but was left in tears as he was carted off by police at the end of the episode accused of the murder of his first wife.

Lord Grantham gave his blessing to the union of his youngest daughter Lady Sybil and their chauffeur Branson not long after engaging in a passionate kiss in his bedroom with the new maid.

The second series of the show started on 18 September 2011 amid much excitement after the huge success of the first series, which started with the sinking of the Titanic and ended with the outbreak of the First World War.

Scandal: Fans of the show watched with baited breath as Lord Grantham passionately kissed his maid inside his bedroom

The second one began in 1916 and the Battle of the Somme, but just two weeks in, and 400,000 viewers had deserted the show, written by Julian Fellowes, because of excessive advertising.

Audiences became increasingly fed up with the drama being squeezed by commercials, sponsorship promotions and trailers for other programmes.

There was also criticism over the use of language as keen-eared fans noticed its use of modern slang with characters uttering phrases not popularised until 40 years later.

Wartime: The second series of Downton was set in the First World War - the third series will take place in the 1920s

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2058628/Downton-Abbey-breaks-record-biggest-drama-audience-decade.html#ixzz1d94MlQk6

Lady Sybil and the chauffeur: Downton stars now set up together in off-screen romance

By Leon Watson

Last updated at 6:19 PM on 6th November 2011



It's a case of life imitating art - as a real-life romance has blossomed between the Downton Abbey actors who play Lady Sybil and her driver Tom Branson.

Allen Leech, who plays the aristocrat's chauffeur in the ITV hit, has reportedly been an item with co-star Jessica Brown Findlay 'for some time'.

Racing columnist Jo Foster told the Sunday Telegraph: 'After a few too many glasses of burgundy, Simon [Leech's brother] let it slip that the pair had begun an off-screen love affair some time ago.

'It came from the horse's mouth.'

On and off screen? Lady Sybil, played by Jessica Brown Findlay, and chauffeur Branson, played by Allen Leech, are said to be together in real life

Leech, 30, has made it clear he is single, while Brown Findlay, 22, was thought to have a boyfriend, artist Thomas Campbell.

Her publicists have also played down the rumour, saying there is 'no truth' in the affair.

Speaking about the on-screen romance last week, Leech said: 'He has always been madly in love with Sybil and he is a character who doesn’t give up easily.'


News of the reported romance comes in the same week that ITV confirmed the hit drama will return to our screens for a third series.

Watched by 11.5million viewers on average, it will be back next September to cover 18 months in the lives of the Crawley family and their servants during the 'Roaring Twenties'.

The action – set in the First World War and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1919 this series – will jump forward to 1920 and 1921, when national events included the first UK birth control clinic and the creation of Northern Ireland.

Real life romance: Jessica Brown Findlay is reportedly 'an item' with co-star Allen Leech

Down to work: Carol Vorderman (right) paid the set a visit earlier this year and managed to help out on set by teaching Allen Leech (left) his lines

Despite the most recent series having had a more negative response than the debut run, amid criticism about the complicated plot and the number of adverts, the programme has proved to still be a massive ratings hit.

The announcement came after Oscar-winning creator Julian Fellowes had earlier in the week sparked fears over whether the show would come back.

Earlier this week he said: ‘I am extremely grateful to ITV for this. I have grown very fond of my Downton family and I certainly do not want to say goodbye to them quite yet.’

Filming will begin in the new year and stars including Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville are set to appear.

ITV’s director of drama commissioning, Laura Mackie, said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing Downton Abbey back for a third series, as we follow the inhabitants…into the Roaring Twenties.

‘It’s rare to find a drama that the audience connects with so strongly and we’re extremely proud to have commissioned a series that has become such a phenomenon.’

ITV claims ratings for this run have increased by 21 per cent and it is the most popular drama series on UK television for more than ten years.

Chauffeur Branson, played by Allen Leech, can be seen driving Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay) in this image from the second series of Downton Abbey

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2058202/Downton-Abbey-stars-set-screen-romance.html#ixzz1cyhGHUUA