Matthew Goode Hits It Big With ‘Good Wife,’ ‘Downton Abbey’ Roles

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
By KARA MAYER ROBINSON
Feb. 26, 2015 6:17 p.m. ET


Matthew Goode at Freemans, a restaurant on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. PHOTO: CLAUDIO PAPAPIETRO FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

In less than a year, British actor Matthew Goode joined the cast of a critically acclaimed TV drama (“The Good Wife”), appeared in an Oscar-nominated film (“The Imitation Game”) and secured a role in another, equally successful series (“Downton Abbey”).

“It’s been a really good year. There’s no question about that,” said the 36-year-old actor who grew up in England, studied at London’s Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, then performed mainly in theater (“The Tempest”) and film (“Match Point,” “A Single Man”).

Mr. Goode was offered the “Good Wife” role of prosecutor Finn Polmar last winter, just as producers Michelle and Robert King were secretly plotting the exit of one of its lead characters, Will Gardner, played by Josh Charles. He quickly accepted, temporarily moving his family—Sophie, his wife, and daughters Matilda, 5, and Teddy, 1—to New York.

It has been a good run, but Mr. Goode is eager to return to England.

He will pack up his family in April, in time to film the next season of “Downton,” shoot a show about wine with friend and fellow actor Matthew Rhys and prepare for a new arrival. His son is due in August.



WSJ: Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch, you...Is there some sort of British actor boom going on?

There’s so much work over here. I think the Americans are much more open-minded than British audiences. But you’ve still got to pull it off. America isn’t just a couple of accents; it’s a vast country with a myriad of different accents and classes. You’ve got to get it right.

WSJ: Was it difficult to step into “The Good Wife” midseason, just as Josh Charles’s character was being killed off?

I never felt like I was stepping into his role. When I discussed it with Robert and Michelle, I said, “I think it would be a mistake to throw me in as this immediate replacement love interest. I think the audience needs to mourn and I don’t think it’s that interesting.”

So far, I like Finn. A lot of the characters are quite arch. You think you know them and suddenly they’ll do something that’s actually quite immoral. It hasn’t happened to Finn yet.

WSJ: How did you acquire your American accent?

I found a bloke on the Internet…this lawyer. He was talking to the press for a good five minutes. I didn’t memorize it, but I watched him. I could just learn his rhythms and what he said.

WSJ: Will you return next season?

I don’t know yet. We haven’t had the discussion. I might, but I’m all about the family, really. You can’t keep uprooting your children all the time.

WSJ: How did your “Downton Abbey” role come about?

I knew a few people in the cast already, like Allen [Leech] from “The Imitation Game.” I met Michelle [Dockery] a long time ago. We had a really good laugh and ended up dancing the night away. It’d been on the cards and suddenly it came to fruition.

I don’t know how long I’m going to be doing it, but the game is afoot. My character’s a guy called Henry Talbot. That’s all we know so far.



WSJ: “The Imitation Game” has caused quite a stir. What are your thoughts about it?

The story of Alan Turing is fascinating. We see that he thinks differently, we see that he has an incredible mind. Ultimately, he wins the Second World War. And for his efforts, because he likes to make love with men…?

Because Alan Turing achieved this incredible thing, he’s been pardoned by the queen. What about pardoning the other 49,000 men who you condemned for just being gay? There’s a petition you can sign. They wanted to get 49,000 signatures and I think it’s on its way to 100,000.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.wsj.com/articles/british-actor-matthew-goode-hits-it-big-with-good-wife-downton-abbey-roles-1424992619

Downton Abbey Christmas special recap – it worked as retro festive wallpaper (SPOILERS)

THE GUARDIAN
Viv Groskop
Thursday 25 December 2014 18.00 EST



The labrador’s backside is back for Christmas. And let’s hope it’s not just for Christmas, eh? Actually, my Christmas wish would be that it is just for Christmas. Because if this convoluted outing proved anything, it’s that this series has outstayed its welcome. Unlike Isis the dog, whose absence in this Christmas special finally disproved the conspiracy theory that she was just absent from the last episode to tease us. Sorry, people, but Isis really is dead.

As always this was a beautifully made and wonderfully acted confection showcasing all the shortcomings of the Downton Abbey brand. In the opening sequences, it felt as if the actors had been directed to speak the dialogue slowly and carefully in order to help viewers a) worse for the cooking sherry and b) unfamiliar with Downton (as probably many Christmas-only viewers were – lucky them). There was a lot of signposting of characters and history, which only served to flag up that there are often far too many people involved and far too many things going on.

As a standalone piece for anyone not following the series, I suspect this outing worked rather well as retro festive wallpaper. And there can surely be no finer features on screen than those of Matthew Goode (Wickham in last year’s Death Comes to Pemberley and also a series regular in The Good Wife), seen fleetingly here flirting with Lady Mary and making a Dukes of Hazzard-style getaway in a fast motorcar. If he is coming in as the dark-haired replacement for Dan Stevens, that will be a happy event indeed.

For those of us who have been suffering the joys and pains of the past five series, it tied up a paltry number of loose ends (Dame Maggie’s Russian tryst, Rose’s uncomfortable relationship with her new inlaws, Edith not knowing that her father knows about the Impostor Child). And Uncle Julian did at least give us the payoff we’ve been anticipating since last year’s Christmas episode: the marriage of Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson. Hooray!



But unbelievably (or totally believably if you are used to the snail’s pace of Downton) he left the “Who killed rapist valet Green?” plot open. We don’t even really know if it definitely isn’t Anna or definitely isn’t Bates. My money, despite the pub landlord’s evidence, is still on Bates. But surely by now we deserve resolution on this? We found out Green was dead on 10 November 2013. Seriously, Uncle Julian, how long are you going to leave this hanging? Do you even know who killed him? I suspect no one cares any more.

There were some pleasing details. The Russian Silver Fox! Midnight skating to the strains of the balaika! Setting sail in the prince’s yacht! The manic depressive Russian princess (Jane Lapotaire) was superb and, as every guest is forced to on this show, really made the most of her three sentences. Alun Armstrong as The Evil Butler, Stowell (yes, I know, I heard it as “Stole” and “Stowe” the whole way through, too), was wonderful: “I am not a novice anywhere.” And there was plenty of Molesley, which is always a delight. But what a missed opportunity! When Molesley was rifling in Anna’s drawers, I was convinced he would find the Ill-Defined Contraceptive Device. So disappointing.



But let’s draw a veil over that and concentrate on the best marriage proposal ever from a man resembling a cautious and lovable badger: “Well, that’s the point. I do want to be stuck with you ...” Who wouldn’t drink to Mr Carson’s happiness on Christmas Day?



READ MORE HERE: http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/dec/25/downton-abbey-christmas-special-recap-it-worked-as-retro-festive-wallpaper

George Clooney to star in Downton Abbey

THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY
AEST 10:29, TUE DEC 2 2014



George Clooney is trying to enter British aristocracy after marrying his well-to-do wife Amal Alamuddin – well in the fictional sense at least.

George is due to make a cameo on British television series Downton Abbey alongside his Monuments Men co-star, Hugh Bonneville.

Recent pictures have emerged of 53-year-old Clooney with Bonneville's Robert Crawley on the set of the period drama looking every bit the 1930’s English gent with smoothed-back hair, a grey wide-lapelled suit and dapper tie.

The Gravity actor is rumoured to be appearing in a one-off sketch appearance for a Downton Abbey special in support of British charity Text Santa – a fundraiser for UK charities during the festive season.

The Clooney cameo is scheduled to air on December 19 and will reportedly see the Hollywood-heartthrob play a wedding guest appearing in scenes with Hugh as well as Michelle Dockery's Lady Mary Crawley, Elizabeth McGovern's Countess of Grantham and Laura Carmichael's Lady Edith.

Bonneville told Radio Times earlier this year that it was good to have his pal on set.

"He was incredibly generous with his time and his talent," Bonneville said.

Adding: "He was great – he was a good laugh and sprinkled some sort of magic dust over our experience."

READ MORE HERE; http://www.aww.com.au/living/arts-entertainment/2014/12/george-clooney-stars-in-downton-abbey-with-michelle-dockery-and-hugh-bonneville/george-clooney-stars-on-set-of-downton-abbey-with-hugh-bonneville

Downton Abbey's Christmas special: "You’ll have a lump in your throat, but in a very nice way"

RADIO TIMES
By Ellie Walker-Arnott
Thursday 27 November 2014 at 03:11PM



"Heartwarming" and "nice". We like the sound of those words being used to describe the Downton Abbey Christmas special.

After one romantic, one traumatising and one frankly rather boring Christmas episode we don't quite know what to expect when the ITV period drama returns to our screens this Christmas Day. We know Julian Fellowes isn't afraid of spilling blood on December 25th and with the ominous way the fifth series ended, our minds have been running wild with possibilities, both nice and not so.

But thankfully Hugh Bonneville, who plays lord of the manor Robert Crawley, has put some of our worries to rest. Talking about the festive, feature-length installment, Bonneville disclosed it will be "very heart-warming."

"You'll have a lump in your throat, but in a very nice way," he added, talking on tomorrow's Graham Norton Show.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-11-27/downton-abbeys-christmas-special-youll-have-a-lump-in-your-throat-but-in-a-very-nice-way

George Clooney 'to make appearance in Downton Abbey'

THE GUARDIAN
Martin Williams
theguardian.com, Wednesday 10 September 2014 19.59 EDT




George Clooney is to star in the UK television series Downton Abbey, it has been reported. The actor will play an American character who is a guest at a wedding in the country estate.

The show, which will be broadcast at Christmas, was written to raise money for a charity fundraiser, called Text Santa for ITV. An ITV spokesperson said Clooney would appear in a sketch, but would not act in a full Christmas episode.

The Hollywood star has already filmed the scenes but a spokesperson for the period drama refused to give away any further details. However, it was reported that Clooney was set to appear alongside Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery.

Clooney is reportedly a huge fan of Downton Abbey and is good friends with Bonneville, who plays Lord Robert Crawley. The pair became close after working on the war film, Monuments Men, together.

Earlier this year, it was also claimed that Clooney and his fiancée, Amal Alamuddin, considered choosing Highclere Castle, the Hampshire estate where Downton Abbey is filmed, as the venue for their upcoming wedding.

However, it has been suggested that this was an elaborate cover story – invented after he was spotted at the castle – in order to keep his Downton appearance a secret.

Sources told the Sun: "All the plans have been shrouded in secrecy because George was determined for his role not to leak out.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/sep/11/george-clooney-downton-abbey-charity-sketch-itv

‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 Christmas Special review: Daisy’s offer, and did Mary choose?

CARTERMATT
25 December, 2013



Last year, fans of “Downton Abbey” lamented how the Christmas Special basically took whatever Christmas cheer that they had and then threw it in the garbage. For the first 98% of it, all seemed well; then, Matthew died and the world fell apart for Mary.

This time around, we had a two-hour special on ITV that was certainly engaging, but afterwards we cannot really help but answer the question: Was any of this really that necessarily? There were episodes this season that contained more in the way of story points, and this served more as a way to tie together old stories than present new ones that could carry over to the new year.

Out of the stories that are staying put into 2014, the biggest one is merely that somehow, Lady Mary still has both Lord Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake waiting like they are contestants on “The Bachelor” hoping to get the final rose … and this has been eight months of doing so. While we learned in here that Blake has his own ties to nobility, and was merely hiding them in order to, like another show in “Joe Millionaire,” have Mary like him for who he was rather than his inheritance, this has not played a role into the decision. We’re still waiting, and the only key revelation here is that Michelle Dockery’s character will eventually choose somehow.



Meanwhile, we seemingly had an end to the Bates murder story that played out at the end of the season. It seemed for a good half hour or so that Mary was going to turn Bates in after learning of evidence that tied him to what happened to Mr. Green’s death, but his role in helping preserve the family name and protect the Prince from humiliation (the closest thing that this show will ever get to “Ocean’s Eleven”) changed that. He now seems to be in the clear, and unless someone tells Anna what happened, this issue will likely disappear just like Ivy mighty between seasons. Ivy’s potential exit, coupled, maybe with some drama on the horizon for Thomas Barrow and Tom Branson after the former caught the one-time chauffeur with a certain teacher in the gallery, were the two biggest stories that we really see shaping the new season in some substantial way.

Ivy took a potential cooking job with Harold (smartly played by Paul Giamatti) after Daisy turned it down, which was in turn largely a set-up to ensure that one of Harold’s own employees could further pursue her. Clearly, there are still some feelings there for Alfred, even if we never saw him in the special save for news that he has a prestigious new position.

READ MORE HERE:http://cartermatt.com/101688/downton-abbey-season-4-christmas-special-review-michelle-dockery-mary-chooses-no-one/

Downton Abbey - first look at Christmas Special; ‘could end in 2014 as its stars pursue film careers’

METRO
SARAH DEEN
14 December, 2013

Downton Abbey could reportedly come to an end next year.

The show has enjoyed worldwide success but ITV could pull the plug as its stars leave for the bright lights of Hollywood.

A source told The Mirror: ‘After five years on Downton, they are understandably excited at the prospect of taking up some of the roles coming their way.’

Senior executives on the period drama are believed to be referring to next year’s Christmas special as the show’s last.

However, an ITV spokesperson told the paper that there are ‘no plans’ to conclude Downton Abbey just yet.

READ MORE HERE: http://metro.co.uk/2013/12/14/downton-abbey-could-end-in-2014-as-its-stars-pursue-film-careers-4230729/

Downton Abbey Spoiler: Downton Christmas special filmed at Buckingham Palace

MAIL ON LINE
By LUCY CROSSLEY
PUBLISHED: 09:11 EST, 8 December 2013 | UPDATED: 12:05 EST, 8 December 2013

Downton Abbey will dramatise Edward VIII's first love affair with a married woman, five years before he met Wallis Simpson as part of the programme's Christmas special.

The future King's affair with socialite Freda Dudley Ward has been written into a storyline, which sees Downton character Lady Rose presented at Buckingham Palace for her coming out.

During the episode Lady Rose, played by Lily James, is seen dancing in the arms of Prince Edward, who later became Edward VIII before abdicating to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Mrs Dudley Ward had already been married for five years and had two daughters by her husband, Liberal MP William Dudley Ward, who was 16 years older than her. Her husband apparently turned a blind eye to the affair, although the relationship was well-known to aristocrats and politicians.



When the prince met Mrs Simpson, he abruptly severed all ties to his former love. In a call to the Palace in 1934, Mrs Dudley Ward was told by an operator: 'I have orders not to put you through.'

Mr and Mrs Dudley Ward divorced in 1931. Her second marriage to Spanish nobleman the Marques de Casa Maury, who she married in October 1937 also ended in divorce in 1954. She died in 1983, at 88, and never spoke of the affair.

READ MORE HERE:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2520228/Downton-Abbey-Christmas-special-Edward-VIIIs-great-love.html

‘Downton Abbey’ Christmas Special 2013 Spoilers: Shirley MacLaine Returns; Plus Is Bates Going Back To Jail? [PREVIEW]

LATIN TIMES
By Armando Tinoco, Nov 12, 2013 11:50 PM EST



Downton Abbey Season 4 has ended after 8 intense episodes, but the Crawley family has more in store for us with a brand new Christmas special episode. These solitary episode are usually heart-warming and provide us with a glimpse into the lives of our beloved characters, but last year's special was a complete shocker when they killed off Matthew after the actor Dan Stevens did not renew his contract to reprise his role in the upcoming season. This year Shirley MacLane will return straight from America which will provide with some comedic relief with the very British Violet (Maggie Smith). MacLane will not be alone as she has hauled over her son, which will be played by American actor Paul Giamatti. He will be playing Cora's brother, Harold Levinson and will cause some drama and the Countess of Grantham will actually like him, as opposed to his mother.

Season 4 of Downton Abbey ended with a cliffhanger after we found out that Mr. Green, the valet that raped Anna was dead. Everyone is pointing fingers at Mr. Bates as he left the estate for a couple of hours after he figured out Mr. Green was the culprit that molested his wife. Will the secret be out and land Bates back in jail forever? Funny enough, Bates does not appear in the Christmas special photo (above) which could also mean that they will maybe leave the subject for the next season. Lady Edith is Switzerland bound after she found out she was pregnant. The special takes places during the winter season, could it be Edith is back before time and maybe showing a baby bump she must continue to hide? What if a Christmas miracle happens and Gregson calls her? Then she wouldn't have to give up her baby.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.latintimes.com/articles/10191/20131112/downton-abbey-christmas-special-2013-spoilers-video.htm#.UoOHFflJNr0

Shirley MacLaine films picnic scenes with new stars Paul Giamatti and Daisy Lewis for Downton Abbey Christmas special

MAIL ON LINE

PUBLISHED: 07:41 EST, 28 July 2013 |

UPDATED: 07:48 EST, 28 July 2013

With leading characters dropping like flies, Downton Abbey is certainly in need of fresh talent.

And after the arrival of Hollywood legend Shirley MacLaine to period drama, another critically-acclaimed actor has followed as Paul Giamatti joins the cast as an American playboy and relative of the Crawleys.

But Paul isn't the only new arrival, with British actors Daisy Lewis and James Fox getting a warm welcome from Shirley, 79, as they filmed an outdoor picnic scene for the Christmas special.

READ MORE HEREhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2380283/What-warm-welcome-Shirley-MacLaine-films-picnic-scenes-new-castmembers-Paul-Giamatti-Daisy-Lewis-Downton-Abbey-Christmas-special.html

Downton Abbey Christmas special: Hollywood star Paul Giamatti to join cast STV 24 June 2013 17:41 BST

Downton Abbey is about to receive another injection of Hollywood magic with the news that movie star Paul Giamatti is to appear in the Christmas special.

Fans of the of the period drama were delighted when Shirley MacLaine joined the show for the most recent series last year, with the A-lister playing Cora’s hard-to-please mother.

Now audiences will watch as Paul, who has appeared in movies including Saving Private Ryan and Planet of the Apes, appears in this year’s festive special as Cora’s playboy brother, Harold.

Gareth Neame, the managing director of programme-maker Carnival Films, said: "We're excited that Paul Giamatti will be joining us on Downton to play Cora's brother Harold, the rather free-spirited uncle to Mary and Edith.

"We can't wait to see him work alongside Shirley Maclaine, who are both sure to upset the Granthams' apple cart in this year's Christmas Day episode."


READ MORE: http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/230638-downton-abbey-christmas-special-hollywood-star-paul-giamatti-to-join-cast/

Downton Abbey Season Finale-And if you thought the merde hit the fan a couple of weeks ago - just wait until this airs!!!

Watch Downton Abbey, Season 3: A Scene from Episode 7 on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/shorts/downton-abbey-season-3-scene-episode-7/?elq=be7bc9ffbc7549a9b4ee3609ed0e8769&elqCampaignId=532

SPOILER DOWNTON ABBEY: Julian Fellowes Talks

Fellowes: More drama for Lady Mary

Julian Fellowes has revealed that he's not too disappointed about Dan Stevens' exit from Downton Abbey - because it will bring more drama for Lady Mary Crawley.

Dan's character Matthew Crawley was killed off in the Christmas Day edition of the ITV1 period drama, and the creator promised that there will be juicy plots for his widow Mary, played by Michelle Dockery in upcoming fourth series.

"I adore Dan, I love him and wish him nothing but good things. He was terrific for us but that said, it's very hard to dramatise happiness," he said.

"Now Mary, having been very happy, is now having to fight her corner again and having to protect the interests of her child. In a way, that's interesting dramatically."

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/fellowes-more-drama-for-lady-mary-16261565.html#ixzz2I3mQVsQ5

"Downton Abbey" spoiler alert: We already know how Season 3 will end By Joanna Connors, The Plain Dealer

Warning: This story contains spoilers that have already been revealed all over the Internet. Do not read this if you plan on exploding with anger and then writing emails or leaving voice messages complaining about this.

The bad news came, as bad news will, at Christmas. Actually, it came on the Christmas special, in England, of "Downton Abbey," which will be the final episode in the PBS "Masterpiece Classic" season that starts tonight.

READ MORE IF YOU DARE: http://www.cleveland.com/tv/index.ssf/2013/01/downton_abbey_spoiler_alert_we.html

SPOILER - KING OF SPOILERS - DOWNTON ABBEY CHRISTMAS EPISODE **BEWARE** (MAIL ON LINE)

By CHRISTOPHER STEVENS

The fatal twist was so unforeseen that it took the breath away. In Downton Abbey, after two hours of premonitions that Lord Grantham’s oldest daughter, Mary, would suffer the fate of her sister Sybil and die in childbirth, an entirely different tragedy occurred.

It happened off-screen: an open-topped roadster on a country lane, a looming lorry, and then a cut to Maggie Smith in the Abbey drawing room, reflecting that ‘we don’t always get our just deserts’.

That was, for her, an uncharacteristic understatement. Mary’s husband, cousin Matthew, was bowling home from the maternity hospital, where he had just kissed hello to his baby son, born a few weeks premature. 

He told his wife that he felt as if he’d swallowed a box of fireworks. She told him to remember the feeling, so that he’d forgive her more easily next time she did something silly... like crashing his precious car.

Downton Abbey has never been Matthew’s story: it’s a family saga. And yet he has been the pivot, the axle for the free-wheeling plot.

READ MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2253255/Downton-Abbey-A-baby-Matthew-dead-road-A-true-Downton-jaw-dropper.html

Warwickshire's Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle tells of international fame (COVENTRY TELEGRAPH)

by Marion McMullen, Coventry TelegraphDec 24 2012

 DOWNTON Abbey has turned Warwickshire butcher’s son Brendan Coyle into an international hit.

Brendan can be seen playing stoic valet Bates when the glossy ITV hit returns on Christmas Day with a two-hour special.

The 1920s TV drama has seen Bates deal with an injured leg, fall in love and end up behind bars after being falsely accused of murdering his jealous ex-wife.

Brendan, whose father ran a butcher’s shop in Rugby, said: “A friend in LA was working on a film recently and he sent me a photograph of one of the crew wearing a Free Bates t-shirt. I don’t have one, but maybe that’s my Christmas presents sorted out.”



Read More http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2012/12/24/warwickshire-s-downton-abbey-star-brendan-coyle-tells-of-international-fame-92746-32485830/#ixzz2FylLUj2A

‘Downton Abbey’ season 3: New videos featuring Joanne Froggatt, Hugh Bonneville (CARTER)

Before taking back to Britain to promote (and hopefully watch) their Christmas special, the cast of “Downton Abbey” season 3 all had an opportunity this past week to help promote the upcoming third season on PBS (premiering on January 6) on Anderson Cooper’s “Anderson Live!” talk show. What unfolded as a result was a rather lovely combination of humor, heart, and information about the show that so many of us love.

READ MORE PLUS ANOTHER VIDEO:http://cartermatt.com/44407/downton-abbey-season-3-new-videos-featuring-joanne-frogatt-hugh-bonneville/

Downton Abbey Christmas Teaser (spoilers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uNWhbE5R7G0

Downton Abbey: (SPOILERS) TV's beloved upper class clan swap their English manor house for spectacular Scottish castle after filming Christmas Day special in the Highlands By LIZ THOMAS

It is Downton but not quite as we know it.

This year the Crawley family and a few of their best loved servants are leaving Downton Abbey behind and heading to Scotland for a break.

The ITV1 show is expected to be one of the most popular on Christmas Day with an estimated audience of 10 million.

Only the BBC’s seasonal edition of Call the Midwife, which airs immediately before it at 7.30pm on the same day, is expected to beat it in the ratings. In the two hour ITV1 special, Lord and Lady Grantham and their family visit their Scottish cousins at Duneagle Castle, accompanied by servants John Bates, his wife Anna, and O’Brien.

This is the home of Lady Rose, played by newcomer Lily James, who was sent home in the last episode of series three after her dalliance with a married man.


Insiders said viewers would see tensions build up between the two tribes and there is even the suggestion of a new romance for Lady Edith.

And in a bid to fully embrace life in the Highlands viewers will see the men of the family  deer-stalking, fly-fishing and out on shooting trips.

The special was filmed at Inveraray Castle on Loch Fyne in Argyll – the area is already hugely popular with tourists because of the idyllic landscape but is expected to enjoy a boom once the program airs.

READ MUCH MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2244890/Downton-Abbey-Crawley-family-head-Scottish-Highlands-Christmas-Day-special.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

‘Downton Abbey’: Photos released from series 3 Christmas special (HYPABLE)

by Michal Schick
@inkasrain
Posted on 3:00 pm,

December 3, 2012Several stills have surfaced online from Downton Abbey‘s upcoming Christmas special, featuring a distinct change of setting for characters both upstairs and downstairs. Potential spoilers ahead!

Downton Abbey fans still have a few weeks to wait until the two-hour Christmas special comes to their screens, but a few stills from the episode have come to light to sate (or perhaps torture) our Downton desperation. Check out the photos below!

It looks like two distinct plotlines will carry this year’s Christmas special: The Crawleys’ summertime in Scotland, and the adventures of Downton’s staff left behind in Yorkshire.

“As ever, Downton will take its audience through a whole range of emotions,” says Laura Mackie, ITV’s Director of Drama. “All of life’s experiences will feature in this episode… best have the tissues ready.”

According to ITV’s press release, Edith’s love life will be an important element of the series 3 Christmas special, as her attached editor also turns up in Scotland along with the Crawleys. Mary and Matthew, never ones to keep their noses entirely to themselves, will apparently find themselves at odds over the motives of Edith’s potential suitor.

READ MORE: http://www.hypable.com/2012/12/03/downton-abbey-photos-released-from-series-3-christmas-special/