Spoilers: Downton Abbey actor Brendan Coyle says his 'jaw dropped' when he learned of his character’s fate

DAILY MIRROR
Sep 28, 2014 22:00 By Mark Jefferies

Downton Abbey actor Brendan Coyle says the scripts for the new series “dropped his jaw” as he learned of his character’s fate.

Brendan plays Mr Bates, who is suspected of killing the man who raped his wife Anna – fellow valet Mr Green.

It seemed Bates had got away with it, but at the end of the latest episode on ITV viewers learned a new witness to the death had come forward.

The rape has also put a strain in the relationship between Bates and Anna, played by Joanne Froggatt.

Brendan called the upcoming storyline, penned by show creator Julian Fellowes, “a surprise”.

He added: “Julian never fails to drop your jaw.



“We couldn’t begin the series with that storyline. We had to have some abatement from that.

"And there’s a sense of them trying to heal. But it’s very difficult.

Brendan Coyle and Siobhan Finneran try to force-feed Sophie McShera

Brendan insisted Downton’s downstairs cast are more wild than those who play the posh roles upstairs.

“It’s a great bunch,” he said.

“We’re a bunch of old hams sitting around gossiping and talking food.

“Downstairs we can be quite rowdy. There’s a lot of comedians. We laugh a lot doing those scenes when we’re all sitting around talking about picnics or whatever.

"I believe we are more raucous than upstairs.


READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/downton-abbey-actor-brendan-coyle-4341775#ixzz3Eeasr5YU 
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Siobhan Finneran wants Downton Abbey return

THE LIST
Source: Bang Showbiz
Date: 8 May 2014



Siobhan Finneran has revealed she would like to reprise her role as devious maid Miss O'Brien in 'Downton Abbey' so she can wreck the Bates' marriage.

Siobhan Finneran wants to return to 'Downton Abbey'.

The actress would love to reprise her role as scheming lady's maid Miss O'Brien in the ITV period drama and can see it happening if the right storyline came along.

She told The Sun newspaper: "I'd love playing her but she'd have to go back for some reason. I'd love to return and wreck the Bates' marriage or something like that.

"Miss O'Brien was so wicked, bitter, horrible and vile but she was funny as well as being very, very, sharp. Maybe one day O'Brien will fly back on her broomstick to cause mischief and mayhem."

Siobhan quit the popular drama in 2012 to pursue other acting projects, swiftly landing a role in 'Benidorm'.

But it seems the 48-year-old star's wishes could come true since she has now left her role as Janice Garvey in the comedy series, with her on-screen family also being written out of the cast.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.list.co.uk/article/60724-siobhan-finneran-wants-downton-abbey-return/

'Downton Abbey' Season 4 Sets PBS Return Date, PLUS Last Tango In Halifax by Jace Lacob May 14, 2013 10:15 AM EDT THE DAILY BEAST

American fans of the Crawley clan can finally mark their calendars: Season 4 of Downton Abbey will kick off on PBS' Masterpiece Classic on Sunday, January 5, 2014.

Masterpiece executive producer Rebecca Eaton announced the official U.S. airdate for Season 4 of the award-winning period drama Tuesday at the PBS Annual Meeting. Downton's fourth season will run for eight weeks, from January 5 to February 23, 2014, roughly the time timeframe as its third season, which aired in the U.S. earlier this year. (In the U.K., Season 4 will air this autumn on ITV.)

"Masterpiece fans will not be disappointed: Julian [Fellowes] has done another brilliant job," Eaton wrote in an email to The Daily Beast, "this time, portraying the Downton family moving on from the tragedies of last season."

Those tragedies include the death of heir Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) and youngest daughter Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay). The duo—along with Siobhan Finneran (who played devious maid Miss O'Brien)—will not be returning for a fourth installment of the Julian Fellowes-created Downton Abbey, the highest-rated drama in PBS history. A stunning 24 million total viewers tuned into Season 3 of Downton Abbey, and finale on February 17, 2012 was the top-rated show on television for the evening, beating all primetime broadcast and cable programming.

Season 4 of Downton Abbey will feature Shirley MacLaine reprising her role as Martha Levinson, along with several new actors joining the cast: Tom Cullen, Nigel Harman, Dame Harriet Walter, Joanna David, Julian Ovendon, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and Gary Carr, to name a few.

PBS also announced the premiere of six-episode dramedy Last Tango in Halifax on September 8 and Season 3 of Call the Midwife, which will return to PBS in 2014. The former series become one of BBC One's top 10 highest-rated dramas for 2012, with an audience of 7.3 million viewers.

PBS described Last Tango in Halifax—which stars Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, Sarah Lancashire, Nicola Walker, Tony Gardner, Dean Andrews, Nina Sosanya, and Ronni Ancona—as "an uplifting comedy/drama about romance and second chances. Full of zesty humor, great characters and glorious dialogue, it’s about timeless love in a modern setting."

READ MORE: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/05/14/downton-abbey-season-4-sets-pbs-return-date.html

Siobhan Finneran, Downton Abbey's O'Brien, Leaving Show After Three Seasons ENTERTAINMENT MARCH 1, 2013 AT 7:30PM BY USWEEKLY STAFF

Siobhan Finneran

Credit: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Get ready to say goodbye to yet another Downton Abbey regular. TV Line reports that actress Siobhan Finneran -- a.k.a. Sarah O'Brien, Lady Grantham's maid -- is leaving the acclaimed PBS series after three seasons.

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/siobhan-finneran-downton-abbeys-obrien-leaving-show-after-three-seasons-201313#ixzz2ML7YxxD5 

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The Downton Abbey below stairs relationship guide Passions are simmering, from love to lust to envy and revenge... but who loves - or hates - whom? (RADIO TIMES)

Mr Carson, butler: He sang for joy when Mrs Hughes didn’t have cancer. “She is the only one who sees behind his mask of propriety,” says actor Jim Carter. “The nation is willing it to a happen.”

Mrs Hughes, housekeeper: After she refused the proposal of a farmer, “Mr Carson keeps her heart beating,” admits actress Phyllis Logan. “They have a rapport but who knows if it goes beyond that…”

Thomas Barrow, valet: “He’s always been an outsider because of his homosexuality,” explains actor Rob James-Collier. “This series he lets someone into his heart and is hugely affected.”

Jimmy Kent, footman: New boy Jimmy has set hearts-a-flutter. “He’s not really looking for love,” says actor Ed Speleers. “He takes advantage of every opportunity that comes his way.”

Ivy Stuart, kitchen maid: “Ivy fancies the pants off Jimmy,” says new cast member Cara Theobold. “He flirts back, making her think she has a chance. So she has no interest in sweet, kind Alfred.”




READ MORE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-10-21/the-downton-abbey-below-stairs-relationship-guide

DOWNTON ABBEY SCOOP: Season 3 Spoilers, Cast & Crew Updates: (ENTV)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48uDzMNEDyA

Interesting video - however, they failed to mention that Maggie Smith hasn't signed on for Season 4 and 5 also.

Exclusive: Most of Downton Abbey Cast Re-Signs Through Season 5! Who's Holding Out? (TV LINE)

Michael Ausiello

Sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that most of the principal cast of PBS’ cultural phenomenon — including Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora), Hugh Bonneville (Robert), Joanne Froggatt (Anna) and Brendan Coyle (Bates) — have inked new deals through the show’s fourth and fifth season.

Those who have yet to sign on the dotted line (the key word there being yet) are Dan Stevens (Matthew), Siobhan Finneran (O’Brien) and Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil).


Read further:  http://www.tvline.com/2012/03/downton-abbey-season-4-and-5-cast-contract/