Downton Abbey Christmas Special

2 hour episode will air Christmas Day on ITV

From newly released Press Pack:
Hugh Bonneville got to dance with Phyllis Logan at the Servant’s Ball and recounts with much hilarity the dance lessons, “Myself and Phyllis took to it like a duck to water, and in fact we had an off screen dancing competition and it was clear from the outset we would win Strictly Come Downton.” But did he tread on any toes? “Well I think toes are overrated and indeed Phyllis is now out of intensive care and is looking forward to a fully fit 2012.” But the couple he did enjoy watching were Rob James-Collier and Maggie Smith. “They were a sight to behold, it was a joy - poetry in motion.”

Disappointing news for some fans, Lady Sybil and Branson will not be seen in the Christmas special as Jessica Brown Findlay and Allen Leech are not listed in the cast list.

More photos posted here

Downton Abbey - images from 1st episode of new season

Countdown to the second season of Downton Abbey on ITV is only 2 weeks away! (Sept. 18)

Thanks to Evangeline of Edwardian Promenade who found these images at Spoiler TV and a detailed description of the first episode. Spoiler beware!



SHORT SYNOPSIS of Episode 1 (the non-spoilerish one)

The Great War unsettles life at Downton and Isobel's surprising news about Matthew rocks the family further. New maid, Ethel ruffles O'Brien's feathers and Bates returns with life changing news for Anna.

More information on Season 2 of Downton Abbey

(which is an ITV production although many assume it's put out by the BBC)

Photos: Nick Briggs

Captain Nemo (2012)

From THR:
Hugh Bonneville is set to star in Captain Nemo, a 3D action movie that is scheduled to begin filming in August in China. Shoreline Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to the project, which will be partially financed by Chinese investors.

(Bonneville shown as Capt. Avery in Doctor Who)

The movie’s being billed as a “steampunk” tale that will serve as a sequel of sorts to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and follow Captain Nemo, as he joins forces with President Ulysses Grant to battle an evil genius who is causing naval disasters.

Superheroes of Downton Abbey

You know that a series has become popular when spoofs of its characters begin to arise. Last week while watching the first episode of Downton Abbey, a reference was made to the fact that Bates was Lord Crawley's batman during the Boer War. "BATMAN", did you say?!

Well, someone at Quite So, Downton Abbey decided to create an image of Bates as Batman along with his trusty sidekick Robin (Lord Crawley).

The reference to Batman immediately made me think of how the plot hinges on the entail of Downton Abbey and I couldn't help but dub Matthew Crawley as the illustrious, caped crusader "ENTAILMAN".

It's a bird, it's a plane,... it's Entailman!!

Will he be able to save the day?
Will he be able to "smash" the entail?
(as alluded to by "Scene-Stealer")

SCENE-STEALER is the superhero moniker for the Dowager Duchess. Although, it sounds like the name of a villain, it simply refers to the ongoing antics (agreed by most viewers and cast members) of Dame Maggie Smith's witty one-liners and superbly-delivered lines that quite simply steal the scenes from her fellow Downton Abbey actors.


Now while Scene-Stealer is not the villain, what saga would be complete without someone to stir up trouble? Have no fear, we have a couple of those, most notably Thomas the first footman. But he's not just any footman, he's "FOOTMAN" the antagonist who stalks the hallways of both upstairs and downstairs, looking to step on anyone who dares to get in his way as he climbs the Downton ladder of success!

And FootMan does not operate alone. He can be found lurking in stairwells and plotting with his sidekick "TRIPPER". She's not averse to using whatever means necessary to maintain her pecking order within the house. Poor Bates the BATMAN, saw firsthand how devious she could be, when she exercised her tripping powers at the Duke's arrival. Batman might have lost that battle but we know the war's not over! And Tripper's also been known to use a bar of soap to ensure that her employer, Lady Cora, will not take her for granted.

Any more suggestions for other Downton superheroes? Perhaps Anna should be BATWOMAN to Bates' BATMAN? I think Lady Mary and Lady Edith deserve their own special names but not sure what they should be?

And yes, this is just a very silly post...