THE Christmas tree is being decorated as the house prepares for the festive season. Before the Granthams hand out presents to their servants for Christmas Day 1919.
Welcome to the Downton Abbey Christmas special, screened for the media at London’s Mayfair Hotel this afternoon (Tuesday Dec 13). Followed by two question and answer sessions with the cast.
We were all required to sign embargo forms preventing us from disclosing the secrets of this two-hour ITV1 episode, broadcast at 9pm on Christmas Day.
Not that I would ever publish any serious spoilers.
But I can say that the Downton Abbey Christmas special is a joyous festive gift to the nation.
With laughter, tears and, yes, snow.
Yet more wicked one-liners from Dame Maggie Smith. Plus guest appearances from Nigel Havers as Lord Hepworth and Sharon Small as lady’s maid Marigold Shore.
You will already know that valet John Bates is facing trial, accused of murdering his wife. And that this visit to Downton takes us into the New Year of 1920, including the annual Servants’ Ball – where “upstairs” dances with “downstairs”.
Allowing a glorious above stairs glimpse of cook Mrs Patmore and Daisy in their gladrags and finest party hair.
Brendan Coyle (John Bates) said the cast felt it was the best episode they had produced so far. Adding: “The stakes are very, very high for all sorts of characters.”
We also learned that the third series begins filming on Feb 13 2012 and will be set a short time on from the Christmas special. It will consist of eight episodes plus – it was revealed – another separate two hour special. Although Julian Fellowes’ scripts for the first two episodes are still in their early drafts, cast members said they were looking forward to fresh horizons ahead.
Producer Liz Trubridge explained: “It will inevitably move on. But I honestly can’t tell you where because we don’t know yet. Each series should be distinctive and this is moving into the Twenties.”
Liz also told me that there will be another Christmas special 12 months from now – that two hour 2012 episode – although it may not actually be set during the festive period.
Rob James-Collier (Thomas) spoke again about dancing with Dame Maggie Smith, and what happened when he stood on her toe.
While Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore) told of her hopes for romance for the hard-working cook.
It also emerged – if we didn’t know already – that Tom Hanks is an alleged celebrity fan of the show.
Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) spoke about the global reaction to Downton:
“The happy, friendly vibes from all over the planet about our show is terrific.”
Below is my edited transcript of this afternoon’s two post-screening Q&A sessions, removing questions (and answers) that would obviously spoil the episode.
Cast members at the launch included Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley), Brendan Coyle (John Bates), Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley), Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore), Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason), Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow) and Siobhann Finneran (Sarah O’Brien).
Plus director Brian Percival and producer Liz Trubridge.
*****************************************************************************
Welcome to the Downton Abbey Christmas special, screened for the media at London’s Mayfair Hotel this afternoon (Tuesday Dec 13). Followed by two question and answer sessions with the cast.
We were all required to sign embargo forms preventing us from disclosing the secrets of this two-hour ITV1 episode, broadcast at 9pm on Christmas Day.
Not that I would ever publish any serious spoilers.
But I can say that the Downton Abbey Christmas special is a joyous festive gift to the nation.
With laughter, tears and, yes, snow.
Yet more wicked one-liners from Dame Maggie Smith. Plus guest appearances from Nigel Havers as Lord Hepworth and Sharon Small as lady’s maid Marigold Shore.
Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol) and Daisy (Sophie McShera)
You will already know that valet John Bates is facing trial, accused of murdering his wife. And that this visit to Downton takes us into the New Year of 1920, including the annual Servants’ Ball – where “upstairs” dances with “downstairs”.
Allowing a glorious above stairs glimpse of cook Mrs Patmore and Daisy in their gladrags and finest party hair.
Brendan Coyle (John Bates) said the cast felt it was the best episode they had produced so far. Adding: “The stakes are very, very high for all sorts of characters.”
John Bates (Brendan Coyle) in the dock.
We also learned that the third series begins filming on Feb 13 2012 and will be set a short time on from the Christmas special. It will consist of eight episodes plus – it was revealed – another separate two hour special. Although Julian Fellowes’ scripts for the first two episodes are still in their early drafts, cast members said they were looking forward to fresh horizons ahead.
Producer Liz Trubridge explained: “It will inevitably move on. But I honestly can’t tell you where because we don’t know yet. Each series should be distinctive and this is moving into the Twenties.”
Liz also told me that there will be another Christmas special 12 months from now – that two hour 2012 episode – although it may not actually be set during the festive period.
Rob James-Collier (Thomas) spoke again about dancing with Dame Maggie Smith, and what happened when he stood on her toe.
May I have this dance?
While Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore) told of her hopes for romance for the hard-working cook.
It also emerged – if we didn’t know already – that Tom Hanks is an alleged celebrity fan of the show.
Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) spoke about the global reaction to Downton:
“The happy, friendly vibes from all over the planet about our show is terrific.”
Below is my edited transcript of this afternoon’s two post-screening Q&A sessions, removing questions (and answers) that would obviously spoil the episode.
Cast members at the launch included Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley), Brendan Coyle (John Bates), Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley), Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore), Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason), Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow) and Siobhann Finneran (Sarah O’Brien).
Plus director Brian Percival and producer Liz Trubridge.
*****************************************************************************
Anna (Joanne Froggatt) with Downton support in the public gallery at York Assizes.
No comments:
Post a Comment