Downton Abbey script not filched

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Downton Abbey script not filched Fri, September 23 2011 By Jane Meredith, Reporter Email: jane.meredith@newburynews.co.uk Phone: 01635 564537 More News | Back to homepage

Lady Carnarvon quashes speculation Downton Abbey scriptwriter stole her stories

LADY Carnarvon has quashed recent national media speculation that the scriptwriter of the successful Downton Abbey series, mostly filmed at Highclere Castle, has stolen her stories for plots used in the second series. Following recent speculation that scriptwriter, Julian Fellowes, had filched storylines from her latest book: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, and also over dinner at the castle, the home she shares with her husband, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon and family, spokeswoman for the Countess of Carnarvon, Candice Bauval, released the following statement: “Lady Carnarvon’s response was to say she has never spoken to The Sun, nor would she ever accuse anyone, especially Lord Fellowes of stealing stories. Lord and Lady Fellowes are very good friends of Lord and Lady Carnarvon and have been guests at Highclere Castle many times.” Lady Carnarvon enjoys sharing stories with Lord Fellowes about the history of Highclere Castle and is thrilled that some of the stories are used as inspiration for Julian.” Back on television screens for an eight-part run, the new series of Downton Abbey starts just before the outbreak of World War One, and shows how Highclere Castle became a hospital for wounded soldiers. Lady Carnarvon’s new book reveals how the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, known as Almina, turned Highclere Castle into a military hospital between 1916 and 1918 and Lady Carnarvon is also due to give a supper talk at the Watermill theatre in Bagnor on Monday evening (Sep 26). The supper talk - which has sold out - is for the Friends of the Watermill and to raise funds for the theatre, entitled: What Happened to Highclere Castle when it turned into Downton Abbey. She will also be signing copies of her new book in Waterstones Northbrook Street branch in Newbury next Saturday (Oct 1), between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

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