A stark division between the aristocracy and the serving classes has emerged once again, but this time it's playing out behind the scenes of the beloved period drama, Downton Abbey.
The esteemed actors who brought the Grantham family's staff to life have staged a modern-day servants' revolt, boycotting the glittering New York premiere of the new film, Downton Abbey: The New Era. The reason? A significant pay disparity and a feeling of being treated as 'second-class citizens' by the studio.
A Tale of Two Casts
While the show's leads, including Michelle Dockery and Hugh Bonneville, walked the red carpet at the Jazz Age-themed event, the chairs reserved for the 'downstairs' stars remained conspicuously empty. Actors such as Jim Carter (Mr Carson), Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), and Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes) were notably absent from the festivities.
Sources close to the production revealed a deep-seated frustration among the supporting cast. They reportedly felt sidelined during the promotional tour for the first film and were offered substantially lower fees for their involvement in the sequel compared to their 'upstairs' colleagues.
Behind the Scenes Discontent
The discontent isn't merely about money; it's about respect. One insider stated that the actors playing servants were made to feel like their real-life counterparts, expected to be grateful for any opportunity whilst the franchise's stars reaped the lion's share of the rewards and spotlight.
This boycott casts a shadow over the much-anticipated premiere, highlighting the ongoing debates about pay equity and recognition within the film industry. It seems the hierarchy of Downton Abbey is, unfortunately, not entirely confined to the screen.
