Judi Dench and Downton Abbey stars lobby politicians over dog meat trade

NEW MAGAZINE
January 29, 2015



DAME JUDI DENCH joined DOWNTON ABBEY stars LESLEY NICOL and PETER EGAN at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday (28Jan15) to urge officials to do more to stop the dog meat trade in Asia.

The veteran actress attended a briefing for Members of Parliament (MPs) alongside Nicol and her co-star Egan, who plays Hugh 'Shrimpy' MacClare in the hit period drama, to support a campaign to change animal rights legislation in countries such as China and Thailand.

Long time animal welfare campaigner Egan made a speech to politicians, and fought back tears as he made an impassioned plea to end the suffering of animals in Asia.

He told the meeting, "It's such a cruel trade... and I will dedicate the rest of my life to trying to get it stopped... I hope our MPs here and their colleagues in the Foreign Office and embassies will have these animal welfare discussions with their counterparts in Asia... so the dog meat trade in particular can be put to an end."


READ MORE HERE: http://www.new-magazine.co.uk/latestnews/view/66794/Judi-Dench-and-Downton-Abbey-stars-lobby-politicians-over-dog-meat-trade/

5 things we learned from 'Downton Abbey' cast's royal visit

TODAY
RANDI DAWN
December 8, 2014

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here are five key things we learned:

George Clooney is not appearing in the Christmas special/season finale
OK, we kind of suspected, but it was confirmed by Bonneville that Clooney merely made a tiny promotional appearance in support of a charity. "He's in a sketch for a fundraiser," said the actor. Joked Nicol, "We didn't all get to meet him, and we're not bitter."



The truth behind that anachronistic water bottle
Remember that "Downton Abbey" publicity photo that included an unexpected cameo by a water bottle? Not intentional, but it worked out nicely: "That photo was cropped originally, and then suddenly it was uncropped," said Bonneville. "[It made us able] to get behind the charity Water Aid in the UK."

Isis the dog's fate is not tied to any current headlines
Rumor had it that Grantham's dog Isis (the one Thomas once locked in a shed overnight!) was going to be killed off because the terror group ISIS had started using the name of the legendary Egyptian goddess. "Any story line involving the dog has nothing to do with horrible international events," said Bonneville.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.today.com/popculture/5-things-we-learned-downton-abbey-casts-royal-visit-1D80342640

Downton Abbey stars audition for parts in new Star Wars film

MIRROR
Mar 12, 2014 22:00 By Halina Watts

Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery: The Force is strong in them

What would Lord Grantham’s mother say? The stars of Downton Abbey have been auditioning for the latest Star Wars blockbuster.

JJ Abrams, who is directing the seventh instalment of the sci-fi saga, has visited the Highclere Castle set looking for actors.

Lesley Nicol, 60, who plays cook Beryl Patmore, said: “JJ Abrams came to the set last year and he is just about to do the next Star Wars movie. He loves the show, and he checked a few of us to star in the film.”

As well as Lesley, other actors who may find themselves sitting in the Millennium Falcon include Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham and Michelle Dockery, who stars as his eldest daughter Lady Mary .

Even the old dowager herself, Dame Maggie Smith, could soon be giving short shrift to Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Abrams, who starts filming Star Wars Episode VII in London in May, gushed about the ITV period drama. The 44-year-old Star Trek director said: “It’s absolute soap opera – done triple-A plus.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/downton-abbey-stars-audition-parts-3235698#ixzz2vqj82UG6 
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

Downton Abbey meets Breaking Bad! Hugh Bonneville and Lesley Nicol at pre-Emmy party

By HANNA FLINT
MAIL ON LINE
PUBLISHED: 06:27 EST, 20 September 2013 | UPDATED: 06:36 EST, 20 September 2013

Period drama met period tables on Thursday night as the casts of Downton Abbey and Breaking Bad rubbed shoulders at a pre-Emmy party.

Hugh Bonneville and Lesly Nicol from the ITV series attended, as did actor Dean Norris with George Mastras, the writer of the AMC show.

But with big smiles on their face, the Downton crew and Breaking Bad buddies would be leaving the drama at home for an evening to celebrate their nominations at this year's awards show.

They were no doubt there to support Julian Fellowes, as the party was hosted by The Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences' to celebrate specifically the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards Writer Nominees, which also included Mastras.

To get a win for Breaking Bad would be the cherry on the cake for the American writer, having penned the final series currently on air now.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2426628/Downton-Abbeys-Hugh-Bonneville-Lesley-Nicol-pre-Emmy-party-Breaking-Bads-Dean-Norris-George-Mastras.html#ixzz2fQzH5fRW 
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

‘Downton Abbey’ actress comes to defense of Maggie Smith (SF GATE)

“Downton Abbey” star Lesley Nicol has hit back at a TV executive who called Maggie Smith “very difficult” to work with, insisting the veteran star is professional at all times.

“Harry Potter” actress Smith has proved a huge hit with TV audiences as the catty Dowager Countess of Grantham, but long-running rumors suggest she is demanding behind-the-scenes.

Producer Rebecca Eaton, who works for PBS Masterpiece, said, “Maggie Smith is a handful, it’s true. She’s very difficult. She knows her worth, and she’s tricky on the set, but she delivers when the time comes.”

She says, “Maggie’s a professional, she does really well, working horrible, long hours sometimes for a lady that age.

“She has a rest between takes. That doesn’t make her a snotty cow, it just means she needs a lie-down. She’s not a diva.”

READ MORE:http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/08/21/downton-abbey-actress-comes-to-defense-of-maggie-smith/

Downton Abbey, Stella McCartney, Nicole Kidman: Celebrities at the Olympics post their pictures By: Jennifer Campbell Twitter: @jenncampbell

The cast of the runaway hit show Downton Abbey all attended the Opening Ceremony together. Actor Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham on the show, posted this pic of the group. Try spotting Bates, Thomas, Daisy and Lady Edith out of their wartime garb. (We’re pretty sure some of the costume’s were on loan for ceremony’s turn-of-the-century

Nicole Kidman

Stella McCartney

See more pictures at CTV OLYMPICS BLOG: 
http://blog.ctvolympics.ca/2012/07/celeb-twitpics/

Downton Abbey Cast (?) at the National Television Awards - O'Brien? Edith? Mrs. Patmore???? (Socialite Life)

Downton Abbey’ Cast At The 2012 National Television Awards In London

« Back to Story / Leave a Comment

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Lesley Nicol, Siobhan Finneran, Laura Carmichael and Thomas Barrow attend the National Television Awards 2012 at the 02 Arena on January 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)


To read more:  http://socialitelife.com/photos/the-cast-of-downton-abbey-gets-together-at-englands-national-television-awards/national-television-awards-2012-arrivals-2