Moviefone Editorial

Tag: downton-abbey

  • ‘Downton Abbey’ Theme Park in the Works

    DOWNTON ABBEYEver wished you could live inside such British shows as “Downton Abbey”? Soon — if British broadcaster ITV’s plan is a go — you can do just that.

    Victoria.”

    They expect 250,000 people a year will want to check out the “distinctive visitor experience,” which has a tentative (and incredibly optimistic) opening target of 2018.

    While it sounds highly unlikely they’ll be rides (Matthew Crawley’s Wild Ride, anyone?), a brochure promises a 100-seat auditorium for “immersive cinematic presentations. There’ll also be a restaurant, where we assume tea will be served, and possibly Mrs. Patmore’s London Particular soup. Also expect sets, costumes and memorabilia from each show.

    Per Emmerdale” Studio Experience, in which fans can take an 80-minute tour of the soap opera set in Leeds and a walking tour of the outdoor set.

    You can already tour the site where “Downton Abbey” was filmed, Highclere Castle, although it is only open Sundays through Thursdays.

    “Victoria,” which stars Jenna Coleman as the young Queen Victoria, was mostly shot in Yorkshire, with some scenes shot at Harewood House in Leeds.

  • A ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Is Happening: Team ‘Hopeful’ to Film in 2018

    Polish that silver and prepare for more withering eye rolls from Lady Mary to Lady Edith, ’cause it sounds like the “Downton Abbey” gang is really coming back.

    The series finished airing in the U.S. in early 2016, but there’s been talk of a movie follow-up for a while (whether one is really necessary or not) and also half-joking speculation about a spinoff.

    Michael Edelstein, president at NBCUniversal International Studios, confirmed a movie is on the way while talking to the Associated Press in Singapore for “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition”:

    “There’s a movie in the works. It’s been in the works for some time. We are working on getting the script right and then we’ve got to figure out how to get the (cast) together. Because as you know, people go on and do other things. But we’re hopeful to make a movie sometime next year.”

    That was news to the stars themselves… Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley) told the AP, “Well, tell my agent, because we’re still waiting to know. We’re hoping that will happen soon.” Sophie McShera added to the AP, “Oh, well, you’ve got confirmation before us. We have no idea if that’s happening. But we would all love to be part of the film if it was to happen, for sure.” Julian Fellowes created this TV world, and he told the AP, “I think we’ve got a film in us. I hope it happens.”

    So it’s still in the “hopeful” stage, but everyone wants to do it, and everyone thinks they can do it, they just have to make sure they get it right.

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  • A ‘Downton Abbey’ Immersive Experience Is Launching in June

    The Crawley clan isn’t headed back to TV, but “Downton Abbey” fans can at least look forward to a return (of sorts) to their favorite British estate.

    NBCUniversal International Studios and Imagine Exhibitions have teamed up on a “Downton Abbey” immersive experience, as they announced Wednesday. Called “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition,” it gives visitors a chance to view the show’s sets and costumes, not to mention never-before-seen footage. You’ll have to go somewhere unexpected to see it, though; contrary to what you might expect, the exhibition is launching at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands instead of in the U.K., where the BBC series was filmed.

    Like the period drama’s six seasons, the exhibition features different time periods and places. It sounds like fun for any “Downton” die-hard, as long as they can get to Singapore to see it. The exhibition launches June 17, and those who wish to visit can pre-register for tickets on its official website.

    [via: Variety]

  • Michelle Dockery Embraces Being Bad on ‘Good Behavior’

    If you think that sometimes Downton Abbey,” just wait until you see how she steps right up to the edge in “Good Behavior.”

    For her new TNT drama, Dockery steps directly from the lavish estate of early 20th Century British aristocracy into the modern world, leaving Lady Mary’s fragile veneer of civility behind and embracing darker impulses. As Letty, she’s a career con artist and recovering meth addict fresh out of prison and looking to rebuild her life with her 10-year-old son while still pursuing her illicit craft, and when she tries to access her more altruistic nature and help avert the contract killing of a stranger, it leads her to become entangled with an enigmatic hitman (Jaun Diego Botto), who has the potential to be her undoing … or perhaps her salvation.

    It’s a wholly different star turn for Dockery, who discussed why being bad feels so good with a small group of journalists.

    On how the new series helped her move forward from “Downton Abbey”:

    Michelle Dockery: I was very fortunate to go from “Downton Abbey” on to this quite quickly. I like to keep working. They’re two very, very different characters. So it was very different and very freeing to play someone new.

    On whether she was looking for a role far removed from Lady Mary:

    No. It just happened to come along, so I was very lucky to find something that was quite different.

    There are parallels with those women: Letty is a very colorful, complex character. She’s much like Lady Mary was. I always have a place in my heart for that character, and I think that you kind of take your characters with you as you go on in your career. Yeah, she’s someone I love to play.

    On whether she expects that she’ll play Lady Mary again one day:

    We’ll see. I’m open to the idea of the film. Yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing if that happens.

    On playing characters that can be unlikable on occasion:

    I mean, in my experience, they’re the best of characters to play! I don’t think they need to be likable to like them in that sense. I think some of the best characters don’t always behave well. The relationship between them is so interesting, and it is a messed up love story and a very unconventional love story, and they recognize so much in one another. In some ways, it’s like a meeting of minds because they are so similar in many ways.

    I think Letty finds it hard to sort of exist as normal people do. I think she she gets bored very, very easily, and the dressing up part of it and becoming another character within the character is also the addiction. It’s the high, you know, following people and being someone else to escape the pain or who she really is. And that has been really fun to play. It’s character within character, which is a dream for an actor. I have four different wigs. They all have different names.

    On Letty’s ever-changing array of looks, accents, and, of course, those wigs:

    Well, it really varies on the situation that Letty’s in. With the first wig, there’s a business-like quality to that character. She’s very into the hotel. She wants to just get the job done, so it’s like that sort of toughness to that one. Whereas the blonde one, that’s a contrast because she’s a little bit more fluttery, and she’s flirting with Javier.

    So it’s really fun playing those characters-within-a-character, and getting to change the accent. Actually, we decided from the very beginning that Letty was very good at that, good at accents and good at changing her persona.

    And a Southern accent is much easier for a British actor than a general American — I think so, anyway.

    On the research discovery that helped shape her performance:

    I found this great documentary on Netflix called “The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne,” which is a documentary about a thief who is 86 years old, and she’s still at it. She, throughout her life, has put on these personas and pretended to be other people in order to go about her thieving.

    On her experience in America while shooting on location:

    I love spending time here! It’s been a real change for me. It’s been, obviously, a very interesting time to be here with the election coming up. It’s something that I felt was always at the forefront for me, because of course being away from home, you can take your eye off the ball a little bit because you’re not at home, and the politics here has been something that I’ve been reading about more than I normally would.

    It’s lovely to be in a climate like this for a change. Not as much rain, and seeing different states. Spent time in North Carolina, and now in New Mexico. So I like spending time here. It’s good to change it up.

    On what she’s discovered about her career as an actor:

    What I’ve learned, I guess, is to not expect … and to try and live in the moment as much as possible, because in a career like acting, you never really know where you’re going to be.

    And that’s what’s so exciting about it, actually, is that you end up in places and with people you would never expect to meet. That’s what’s so lovely about the journey as an actor.

    “Good Behavior” premieres November 15 on TNT.

  • Absent Emmy Winner Maggie Smith Had the Perfect Response to Jimmy Kimmel’s Joke

    downton abbey, maggie smith, dowager countessDuring Sunday night’s Emmys ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel Downton Abbey” role, and wasn’t there to accept it in person, he’d chuck the trophy in the lost and found bin. After the absent Smith did indeed go on to win the best supporting actress award for her final season of work as the Dowager Countess, Kimmel remained true to his word, and stormed the stage to snatch the statuette from presenters Minnie Driver and Michael Weatherly. Now, Smith has finally responded to both her win and Kimmel’s gag.

    In a statement shared on Twitter by Masterpiece PBS (which aired “Downton” in the U.S.), Smith said she was “very astonished and pleased” by her win, adding “I feel the Emmys have been overly generous with me.” The second half of her statement was addressed to the host.

    “If Mr. Kimmel could please direct me to the lost and found office I will try to be on the next flight,” Smith added.

    We applaud both Kimmel for sticking to the amusing bit, and Smith for playing along with such a witty response. The Dowager Countess would be proud.

    [via: Masterpiece PBS]

    Photo credit: Masterpiece

  • The Best Shows to Turn Into Drinking Games

    ArrowSome TV shows are tailor-made for drinking games — alcohol can sometimes be the only way to make it through episodes when your favorite show is phoning it in, or it’s wallowing in its own clichés. Invite friends over for these specialized drinking games for a few of your favorites — get your shot glasses ready, and definitely don’t plan on driving or operating any heavy machinery after playing.

    ‘Empire’ (2015 – )

    Everyone loves watching the music-mogul Lyon family on “Empire” — the weekly drama between Cookie and Lucious is almost as good as the rap, hip-hop, and soul soundtrack the show delivers. Naturally, songwriting plays a big part in the stories, but what’s amazing is each character’s ability to write fully produced songs on the spot. Each episode, someone will have an idea for a new song, or be challenged to deliver a new rap, and inevitably, one of the Lyons will step up to deliver a radio-ready track without blinking. No demos, no drafts — they get behind the mic, and the song comes out perfectly the first time. That’s worth drinking to.

    How to play: Drink once every time a character writes a new song that’s finished the first time they play it. Drink twice each time a studio musician on the show magically knows how to accompany the new song.

    ‘Downton Abbey’ (2010 – 2015)

    Audiences across the globe have reveled in the drama and historical fiction of “Downton Abbey,” the first show on PBS to gain mainstream popularity in years. But the stilted language, stiff costumes, and British class struggles of “Downton” aren’t for everyone — so for those who are not completely sold on the period piece, drinking makes the whole experience a little easier to swallow.

    How to play: Drink every time there’s an uncomfortable silence. (Please note: Each episode may require multiple trips to the liquor store.)

    ‘Supergirl’ (2015 – )

    “Supergirl” holds its own amid some stiff competition on the comic-book show landscape — star Melissa Benoist has truly risen to the challenge of being the only female super-powered lead on prime-time TV. That said, the show loves to constantly remind viewers that she’s Superman’s cousin — as though the giant “S” on her chest wasn’t enough of a hint — to the point that it gets distracting when the characters are constantly discussing a hero who isn’t there. So a drinking game was inevitable, right?

    How to play: Drink once every time someone refers to the fact that Superman is Kara’s cousin. Drink twice whenever Superman is mentioned directly (calling him Clark or Kal-El counts).

    ‘Arrow’ (2012 – )

    The original staple of the DC television universe, “Arrow” has grown into an action soap opera with more love stories than a telenovela. Between Oliver Queen, his ex-girlfriend, his other ex-girlfriend (who’s also the sister of his first ex-girlfriend), his assistant-turned-girlfriend, and the mother of his illegitimate child, there’s always fresh heartbreak. It’s enough to drive fans to drink.

    How to play: Drink every time someone cries on “Arrow.” Caution: For safety reasons, it may be better to not watch an entire episode at once when playing.

    ‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007 – )

    After nine seasons, “The Big Bang Theory” is still a ratings juggernaut, despite the fact that it continues to mine the same territory of jokes year after year. We’re not knocking it: Predictable sitcoms can be TV comfort food. Or, in this case, comfort drink.

    How to play: Drink once every time one of the following things happens — Penny is referred to as being promiscuous; Leonard makes a joke about his own sexual insecurities; Raj is teased for being of Indian descent; Sheldon insults someone.

    Sources

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  • 5 British TV Shows That Successfully Crossed the Pond

    Downton AbbeyBritish shows have never been more popular in the U.S. than they are now. Thanks to the explosion of online streaming sites, Americans can get their fix of British TV in a way that would have been difficult even 10 years ago.

    Here are a few British TV shows that really struck a chord with American audiences.

    1. ‘The Office (UK)’ (2001 – 2003)

    Before Michael Scott, there was David Brent. Hilarious, cringe-worthy, and frankly brilliant, “The Office” was just two seasons and a Christmas special of some of the best comedy ever made. You can’t compare the original to the American remake, simply because both are hilarious — yet very different — shows. No one who ever saw Brent’s insane Comic Relief day dance will ever forget it. The 2003 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy was well-deserved, and Brent’s portrayal kicked off a stellar career for Ricky Gervais.

    2. ‘Downton Abbey’ (2010 – 2015)

    “Downton Abbey,” among the most successful British imports to the U.S., follows the adventures of the upper-class Crawley family in early 1900s England, and had American audiences glued to their seats every Sunday night for five years. Viewers couldn’t get enough of this glimpse into a culture so specifically English — and one that all but disappeared as the age of sprawling estates filled with servants ended. Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), and his family and servants “below stairs” went through war, social upheaval, and drastically changing times, yet always had the most fabulous costumes throughout. What set the show apart from other period pieces was the incredible cast, sharp writing, and unforgettable characters such as Maggie Smith‘s wonderfully snarky Violet Crawley (also known as “Granny”). With beautiful interior shots of the gorgeous Abbey, and lush exteriors around the English countryside, this soap opera was as comforting as hot chocolate on a cold, wintry night in Yorkshire.

    3. ‘Luther’ (2010 – 2015)

    Who doesn’t love a good cop drama with a gorgeous, yet deeply troubled, lead character? The Affair,” playing Luther’s wonderfully evil nemesis, Alice Morgan. In “Luther,” the city of London becomes one of the main characters — few TV shows or films have captured its dark, grimy, yet beautiful landscape so well.

    4. ‘The Fall’ (2013 – )

    There are many reasons to watch this exceptional crime drama but the main one is, of course, Gillian Anderson. Strong, sexy, vulnerable, fiercely intelligent — Anderson’s Stella Gibson is flawless as the detective hunting down serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan). Gibson is complex and nuanced, portraying the challenges a woman faces in a very male-dominated field. The Belfast, Northern Ireland, setting is gray and ominous, a perfect background for the chilling yet compelling plot.

    5. ‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013 – )

    Americans love a good British gangster tale (“Peaky Blinders” doesn’t disappoint. Downton Abbey” but couldn’t be more different in tone. “Peaky Blinders” doesn’t shy away from violence and nudity, and creates a unique glimpse into the lives of a certain class of people in 1919-era England.

    Sources

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  • 5 Characters Found in (Practically) Every Period British TV Show

    OK, you can admit it now — you loved “Downton Abbey” just like the rest of us. The show captured almost everyone’s attention for as long as it was on the air and introduced TV devotees to the glory that is British period television. Once viewers found out that the updated versions of these (mostly) historical events were packed with salacious details, torrid affairs, sassy grandmas, and so much more, they were in for the duration.

    Now that you’re obsessed with British period shows, whether they’re loosely based on true events, like “The Tudors,” or are works of fiction set in historical times, similar to “Outlander” (sometimes referred to as a British-American show hybrid), get to know the handful of usual suspects that we can’t help but notice make their mark in nigh every show.

    1. Privileged White Male Who Is Struggling With … Something

    This one is a no-brainer. It’s basically the backbone of all British period TV shows because history has always been made on the incredibly unreliable backs of striving, privileged white males. From Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan in “Outlander,” who’s wrangling with those corrupt English dudes, to King Henry VIII, aka Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, in “The Tudors,” who grappled with getting rid of multiple wives while trying to lead a country, this character is pretty much in every single show. Even “Downton Abbey’s” Robert Crawley, played by Hugh Bonneville, struggled with keeping the family fortune and yada yada yada. Historical British TV is crawling with these guys who are struggling … always struggling.

    2. Attractive Young Female Probably About to Be Married Off

    One of the main problems that most of those previously mentioned struggling white males have to deal with is the responsibility of marrying off the “attractive young female” of the family to further their own good fortune. A prime example of this is Lady Mary Crawley, played by The White Queen,” and “Outlander’s” Claire Randall, portrayed by Caitriona Balfe, who has to marry Jamie to be “protected” or whatever. Though, if we’re being totally honest, this character is not unexpected in period pieces, based on historical times when women weren’t as highly valued as they are now.

    3. Poor Character That the Family Always Rejects

    Come on, this character just comes with the territory. When a period British TV show centers around family and societal politics, there’s always that one character who doesn’t have the money but cleans up nicely. You know, the one that the dad of the family is all “hell nah,” but the youngest daughter, like Lady Sybil Crawley, played by Wolf Hall,” who dared have eyes for Anne Boleyn, only to be met with eventual death. Yikes.

    4. Socialites, Socialites, so Many Socialites

    British period TV is littered with socialites. The characters in almost all of these shows fall into two classes, essentially the help and the rich people. Most of the pretty, affluent women are socialites or wannabes, whose talk is laced with “coming out to society” or their rank among the other families and so on. For instance, take Cora, Mr. Selfridge,” whose main descriptor is “socialite.” Enough said?

    5. Sassy, Knowledgeable, Sometimes Condescending Older Family Member

    In all honesty, this character isn’t really a bad thing. Maggie Smith‘s performance as the Dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey” will live on forever in the minds of all who’ve seen it. When you watch the ease with which she quips gems like “No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else’s house” or “I don’t dislike him, I just don’t like him, which is quite different,” it’s not hard to see why one might love the dowager. Actually, the world needs more of these Maggie Smith-type characters. Can someone write a TV show that’s entirely peopled with characters based on her performance? It would be the ultimate in British period TV — “The Dowager Countesses of British History.” Get on it, Bravo.

    Sources

  • Best Series to Watch on a Sick Day

    white collarWhen you’re sick, sometimes lying in bed all day is the last thing you want to do. And sometimes binge-watching a new series — perhaps one you’ve never seen before — is just what you need. So take a moment to get cozy, make some hot tea, put up your feet, and check out these five shows that will have you laughing, crying, and feeling better in no time.

    ‘Downton Abbey’ (2010 – 2015)

    “Downton Abbey” is one great to watch when you’re not feeling quite like yourself and all you want to do is be outside. The idyllic setting, music, costumes, and simplicity of early 1900s England makes your day, or days, at home ever more peaceful. On top of it all, drama of its aristocratic small town — full of murder, mayhem, and tea service — will have you laughing, crying, and forgetting all about your sick day.

    ‘The Great British Baking Show’ (2010 – )

    “The Great British Baking Show” brings you into the world of fine British and European desserts, crumpets, biscuits, and more baking innuendos than you could imagine. You may not feel well enough to bake on a sick day, but sometimes just looking at biscuits and finger sandwiches can do the trick. This series features hilarious hosts, authentic recipes, world-renowned British bakers, and show-stopping desserts that will have you calling your mom or your best friend to bring over some hot cocoa, fresh bread, and cookies, or — as the Brits might suggest — Jammie Dodgers.

    ‘White Collar’ (2009 – 2014)

    What’s better than a little action and a whole lot of crime when you are sick? If you enjoyed the White Collar.” The series picks up where “Catch Me if You Can” left off, with Special Agent Peter Burke tracking down the master forger / con artist / heist operator, Neal Caffrey. Peter promises Neal’s freedom if he assists in bring down other high-profile white collar criminals, aka Neal’s competition. If you love series that showcase the beauty of New York City; feature interesting cases of the week; explore diamond heists, art forgeries, and high-class bad guys and gals, then “White Collar” is for you. Matt Bomer, as Neal, also wears a lot of fedoras and rocks a mean Frank Sinatra impression, if you’re into that sort of thing.

    ‘Felicity’ (1998 – 2002)

    One of the best coming-of-age dramas to come out of the late 1990s, “Felicity” introduced the world to the emo, Sarah McLachlan-listening, Dean and Deluca espresso-drinking character of Felicity Porter and her love-triangle BFFs, Ben and Noel. Felicity was the girl who went all the way across the county to follow a boy who wrote something profound in her high school yearbook at graduation, and ended up finding herself instead. The blissful and pensive college drama launched the careers of J.J. Abrams, Keri Russell, Scott Speedman, and Scott Foley. Watching this series may give you major alt-rock nostalgia, and it may make you want to cut your hair — you’ll know why if you watch the show.

    ‘Friends’ (1994 – 2004)

    Whether you’ve seen “Friends” 100 times or never watched a single episode, it might be the absolute best show to binge-watch on a sick day. You can start with the pilot episode to follow the fun, single days of Phoebe and friends, or you can jump to some fan-favorite episodes like, “The One Where Ross Finds Out,” “The One With the Flashback,” and “The One With the Embryos.” Whether Chandler Bing is making you laugh or Rachel Green is making you cry, spending a sick day in bed with “Friends” might be just what the doctor ordered.

    Sources

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  • Watch John Legend Sing Lyrics to ‘Downton Abbey’ Theme Song

    John Legend Downton Abbey“Downton Abbey” came to an end, with much fanfare, Sunday night in the U.S. after airing its series finale. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” marked the occasion by enlisting John Legend to sing lyrics to the British drama’s piano theme song.

    Legend poked fun at the show, particularly its #DowntonSoWhite-ness. “Everyone we know is very white,” he sang. “We don’t have one black friend.” (Well, there was that one band leader that romanced Lady Rose, but he disappeared in a hurry.)

    The tune also referenced Mary and Edith’s ongoing feud, the Dowager Countess’s sharp observations, and Thomas’s sexuality: “We have a footman who is gay / He’s always carrying a tray.” And of course, Legend cast shade at Lady Edith, because #PoorEdith.

    There is talk of a “Downton Abbey” movie, so perhaps we haven’t seen the last of dinner formalwear, hats, scones, and smack talk.

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