Jessica Brown Findlay shocked by onslaught of grief after Lady Sybil died in Downton Abbey (LONDON EVENING STANDARD)

The death of Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey left actress Jessica Brown Findlay facing an "onslaught" of grief from devastated friends, she revealed.

Jessica, 23, admits she wasn't prepared for the outpouring after her character died from eclampsia during childbirth in the last series.

Speaking to HuffPostUK, Jessica said: "The day Sybil died I was flying out to film in New York. Normally when you land somewhere, you get a couple of messages, but I had an onslaught from people saying, 'You could have warned me.'

"Even my parents knew I was dying, but they didn't know how, so my mum was in bits. My dad had to tell her, 'You can call her on the phone.' "

Despite being part of the successful show, Jessica was "desperate" to hang up her corset in favour of exploring other roles.

READ MORE: http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/jessica-brown-findlay-shocked-by-onslaught-of-grief-after-lady-sybil-died-in-downton-abbey-8557766.html

RUPERT PENRY-JONES - Entire 2008 TV Movie "THE 39 STEPS"

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BRENDAN COYLE INTERVIEW VIDEO BOOK OF MORMON OPENING - RUDE COMEDY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A34w_Q8GBPE&feature=youtube_gdata

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Fresh Dowager of Downton Abbey (Downton parody of Fresh Prince of Bel Air)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGWN1ULho-U

Hugh Bonneville: Ovation Premieres Ben Hur Easter Weekend Miniseries Event Sunday, March 31 At 8 pm ET Ovation Also To Air Special, The Making Of Ben Hur, Across All Content Platforms Including SD and HD Channels, OvationTV.com, YouTube, VOD & TVE

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of its ratings success with original series Song by Song, Ovation, the only network dedicated to the arts, will launch an Easter weekend event with the premiere of its four-hour miniseries BEN HUR, Sunday, March 31 at 8:00 pm ET.


Based on the Lew Wallace novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ, the miniseries stars Joseph Morgan (The Vampire Diaries) as Judah Ben Hur and Emily VanCamp (Revenge) as Esther. BEN HUR's multi-talented cast also includes Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Kristin Kreuk (Beauty and the Beast), Stephen Campbell Moore (Titanic mini-series), Simon Andreu (The Cold Light of Day), James Faulkner ( Bridget Jones ' Diary), Alex Kingston (ER), Ray Winstone (Great Expectations) and Ben Cross (William & Kate).

Written by Alan Sharp and directed by Steve Shill , the miniseries follows Judah Ben Hur , a wealthy Jewish prince betrayed by his childhood friend, Messala.  Eventually enslaved, Ben Hur becomes a hero and receives new wealth and power when he saves the life of a Roman leader. His ultimate quest is to deliver vengeance upon Messala for the destruction of the Ben Hur family.

Ovation will also feature The Making of Ben Hur special across all of its content platforms, including SD and HD channels, OvationTV.com, Ovation's 'YouTube channel, VOD and TV Everywhere.

read more: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ovation-premieres-ben-hur-easter-weekend-miniseries-event-sunday-march-31-at-8-pm-et-199524891.html

Downton Abbey's Brendan Coyle, Elizabeth McGovern and Laura Carmichael shine at Book Of Mormon opening night (MAIL ON LINE)

By EMILY SHERIDAN

It's he hottest new musical in the West End after already wowing audiences Stateside.

So it was no surprise to see a host of Britain's biggest names turning out to the opening night of the London production of The Book Of Mormon.

And showing that it's a play fit for a Lady, Downton Abbey stars Elizabeth McGovern and Laura Carmichael joined the the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone at the Prince Of Wales Theatre.

The actresses, who play mother and daughter Cora Crawley the Countess of Grantham and Lady Edith Crawley looked a far cry from their onscreen characters.

Elizabeth, 51, looked great in a navy peplum dress, over which she wore a bright blue quilted coat.

The pretty actress added a splash of colour with bright red lipstick, as she happily posed for the cameras.

Laura, who plays her somewhat dowdy daughter, cut a very stylish figure in a chic beige trench coat, underneath which she wore an all black outfit with black heels. 

Also from the ITV period drama was the women's co-star Brendan Coyle, who plays Bates, attended with his girlfriend Joy Harrison.

Homeland star Damian Lewis was wrapped up for the cold weather with his actress wife Helen McCrory.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2297157/Elizabeth-McGovern-Laura-Carmichael-attend-Book-Of-Mormon-opening-night.html#ixzz2OJ2E5dic 

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Dan Stevens: What's Happened To Cousin Matthew? Dan Stevens Parties With The Hipsters In New York Posted: 22/03/13 | Updated: 22/03/13 (MY DAILY) Ellen Stewart

 BREAKING NEWS KLAXON! Cousin Matthew has turned into a hipster. Dan Stevens was partying with New York's coolest on Thursday at the opening of The Big British Invite. The former Downtown Abbey star was unrecognisable as he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Alexa Chung, Estelle (apparently she's famous in the States) and Tali Lennox.

READ MORE: http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2013/03/22/dan-stevens-parties-with-alexa-chung-in-new-york_n_2930506.html

DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 4 SPOILERS (FAN POP)

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/downton-abbey/videos/33880253/title/downton-abbey-season-4-spoilers

Hugh Bonneville opposes David Cameron's press proposals (THE TELEGRAPH)

Hugh Bonneville, the Downton Abby star, is pre-occupied with legislation for the press and a rude word used by Rowan Atkinson

Hugh Bonneville as the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey Photo: Nick Briggs / Carnival Films

By Tim Walker7:30
AM GMT 18 Mar 2013

Filming may be getting under way on the new Downton Abbey, but Hugh Bonneville’s mind was on other matters over the weekend: legislation to control the press and “shagging”.

The 49-year-old actor, who plays the Earl of Grantham in the series, has been vociferously supporting the Hacked Off campaigners. He has written to his local MP to get him to vote against David Cameron’s alternative proposal for a Royal Charter to regulate the press, and urged his 100,000-odd followers on a social networking site to follow suit.

Mandrake can think of at least two people who are unlikely to have heeded his call. Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, is a staunch Conservative who was made a peer by the Prime Minister. He was unavailable for comment, but he will be mindful that today’s Commons vote on press regulation is now being seen as a test of Cameron’s authority.

READ MORE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/downton-abbey/9936048/Hugh-Bonneville-opposes-David-Camerons-press-proposals.html

Tom Cullen on new Downton Abbey role: My heart is beating a little too fast (METRO)

An excited Tom Cullen has spoken out about his new role in Downton Abbey, claiming he feels his ‘heart is beating a little too fast’.

The Welsh actor, 27, confirmed the news that he has been cast in the forthcoming new series of the ITV period drama to his followers on Twitter.

He tweeted: ‘I can announce that I’m in the new season four of Downton Abbey. So excited. My heart is beating a little too fast…’

Cullen, who has appeared in the first series of Black Mirror and hit indie film Weekend, took the chance to thank his fans for their support.

He added: ‘Thank you for all the amazing messages. Really touched.’

READ MORE: http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/03/tom-cullen-on-new-downton-abbey-role-my-heart-is-beating-a-little-too-fast-3523532/

DOWNTON ABBEY: Who will be Lady Mary's new lover? Two eligible aristocrats will try and woo widower in Downton Abbey By SARAH FITZMAURICE and HANNA FLINT (MAIL ON LINE)

She has been left to bring up her son all alone after losing her husband Matthew in a shocking car crash, but the next series  of Downton Abbey might not be all doom and gloom for Lady Mary.

The single mother is set to by wooed by two eligible, not to mention handsome, aristocrats, according to reports.

Two new male characters are set to be introduced to the hit period drama and producers have hinted that one will be May's new love interest, The Daily Telegraph Reports.

Julian Ovenden

Tom Cullen and Julian Ovenden are just two new faces set to appear on the show playing characters who pay a visit to the Stately home in the upcoming series.

Cullen, 27, is said to be taking on the role of Lord Gillingham, an old family friend, and he is set to enter the show at a party thrown by the family to try and raise her spirits.

Ovenden, 36, is set to play Charles Blake an aristocrat, while Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is also set to star in the show.

As details of the new characters emerge the cast are already back on set filming scenes for the new series, which will air in the autumn.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2286989/Downton-Abbey-Two-new-male-characters-set-join-love-interests-Lady-Mary.html#ixzz2MUpmTbL8 
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SPOILER FOR SEASON 4 ‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 spoilers

spoilers: Shirley MacLaine to battle Maggie Smith again

For “Downton Abbey” season 3, much of the talk leading up to the show was all about the arrival of Shirley MacLaine in the role of Martha, and how she was poised to be a major rival to Maggie Smith’s character of Violet. However, we actually found this to be one of the bigger letdowns of 2012; while the legendary actress did a fantastic job in the role, we were expecting her to have so much more of a presence after she had been hyped up for such an extensive period of time.

Now, our expectations are set a little bit different for MacLaine’s return. ITV confirmed this weekend that Martha will indeed be a part of season 4, though it is unclear as to whether or not she will appear in more than just an episode.

READ MORE: http://cartermatt.com/51218/downton-abbey-season-4-spoilers-shirley-maclaine-to-battle-maggie-smith-again/

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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DOWNTON ABBEY: First images of Downton Abbey series four focus on Matthew Crawley’s memorial ((METRO) By Caroline Westbrook

Dame Maggie Smith is among those Downton characters who was spotted filming scenes of Matthew Crawley’s funeral (Picture: Rex Features)

The first photos have emerged from the fourth series of Downton Abbey, offering a sneak preview of key characters as they attend Matthew Crawley’s memorial.

Dame Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggatt and Brendan Coyle are among those seen in the snaps as they gather at Matthew’s graveside – with another shot showing his headstone, where he is described as a ‘loving husband and father’.

And the photos would suggest that Matthew – who was killed off in a shocking car accident during the Christmas special – will be buried next to Lady Mary’s sister Sybil, who also made a shock exit last series when she died soon after giving birth.

The much-loved character – played by Dan Stevens – met his maker after the actor quit the show, crashing his car just moments after meeting his newborn son for the first time.

Despite a huge backlash from viewers, creator Julian Fellowes defended the storyline, saying he was left with no choice but to kill the character due to Stevens’ decision to quit the show.


‘We always tried to persuade him to stay. He had done fantastically well for the series and his creation of Matthew was terrific,’ Fellowes said.

‘But this is life. Dan felt that this was right thing for him, and the right moment to move on to different areas.’

READ MORE: http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/01/first-images-of-downton-abbey-series-four-focus-on-matthew-crawleys-memorial-3522178/

Downton Abbey: American vs. British Fans (VIDEO MASTERPIECE CLASSIC)

Watch Downton Abbey: American vs. British Fans on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/shorts/downton-abbey-american-vs-british-fans/?elq=70d748043ff343538f470fa09fdf9c65&elqCampaignId=549

Downton Abbey: Maggie Smith, Queen of the Double Take (MASTERPIECE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLzkQfVIJun2KXuW_3l0gct_0X5yiFs8SN&v=3ZiPV-nEhbQ&feature=player_embedded#!

Downton Abbey star HUGH BONNEVILLE is evidence that prioritising acting over academia at Cambridge can pay off. He talks to NATALIE GIL. By Natalie Gil Features | 27th February 2013 (CAMBRIDGE TAB)

Hugh Bonneville has become something of a legend to the loyal Sunday night TV viewers of Britain. His current role, for which he is arguably best known, is as Lord Grantham in the mind-bogglingly popular Downton Abbey. But those less enthusiastic about costume dramas and the elevated segregation of the upper classes might also have spotted him as the eponymous and irritable tramp in Mr Stink, or as Ian Fletcher, Head of Deliverance for the Olympics in the BBC mockumentary, Twenty Twelve. Oh, and don’t forget his role as the lovably ignorant Bernie in Notting Hill.

What Do You Do?: One of the most amusingly awkward moments in Notting Hill. Hell, maybe even in the history of British rom coms.

After a stint at a London drama school, Bonneville studied Theology at Corpus Christi in the eighties, where he admits he was a ‘pretty pants’ student, having done ‘far too many plays than was healthy’ for his academic career. Possibly explaining why he came away with a Desmond 2:2 in Theology. But his stellar career and (well-merited) celebrity status, re-ignited by Downton, suggest there’s hope for us all regardless of our results in Finals.

Like a butler with a tray of foie gras canapés, costume dramas come and go in Britain, so why does Bonneville think people have warmed to Downton more than the rest? “If I knew that I’d be a millionaire, having bottled the recipe”, he jokes. Then he re-thinks: “one reason why it’s appealed to a broader audience than one might expect from a traditional costume drama is that it’s about tension not violence, romance rather than sex. It’s not so in your face. And it just breathes out in way that a lot of contemporary shows, which are brilliant, don’t.”

- See more at: http://cambridge.tab.co.uk/2013/02/27/interview-hugh-bonneville/#sthash.gH2N6HaM.dpuf