'Downton Abbey': Gillian Anderson turned down a role - who was it? (ZAP2 IT)

By Andrea Reiher
 March 15, 2012 10:52 AM ET

Gillian Anderson has revealed to TV Guide magazine that she was offered a role on the British import hit "Downton Abbey" - and we were a little surprised at which one it was.

The interview was done regarding Anderson's upcoming PBS miniseries "Great Expectations." Anderson says of the miniseries, "Hopefully people will embrace it with the same love that flowed toward 'Downton Abbey.' I was actually offered a part in 'Downton.'"


And then she confirms the part was none other than Lady Cora, the American female head of Downton, wife to Lord Grantham and mother to ladies Mary, Edith and Sybil. Interesting!

READ MORE ZAP 2 IT:  http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/03/downton-abbey-gillian-anderson-turned-down-a-role---who-was-it.html