Julian Fellowes, the writer and co-creator of the hit ITV1 period drama Downton Abbey, has described the show's global success as like 'riding a whirlwind'. The third series, set in the 1920s, introduces Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine, who plays the mother of Cora, the American Countess of Grantham.
Downton Abbey has become a worldwide phenomenon since its 2010 debut, with over 100 countries buying the rights to broadcast the show. The series is nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy awards, competing against dramas such as Mad Men and Homeland. Fellowes attributes the show's appeal to its 'modern pace', blending traditional period aesthetics with fast-moving, multi-layered storylines.
Cast members praise Fellowes' writing, with Jim Carter, who plays butler Mr Carson, noting that 'if you've got good characters and good stories, people will follow them'. The show's success has opened doors for actors like Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew Crawley, making his Broadway debut next month in The Heiress.
Series three focuses on the wedding of Matthew and Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, but Stevens hints at 'thrills and spills' ahead. The arrival of Shirley MacLaine as a rival to Dame Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess promises fireworks, with Stevens describing their dynamic as 'terrific'. MacLaine entertained the cast with stories from her Hollywood and Broadway career, even singing a number from Sweet Charity.
Security around the plot is tight, with scripts shredded and burned after memorisation. Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Countess Cora, reveals new characters including a tall footman, a beautiful second cousin, and a fetching new maid. She adds that the 1920s setting allows the female characters to 'come to life' without corsets, leading to more adventurous storylines.
