Downton Abbey: Series 1, 2 and cast career discussion thread — Page 5

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#101

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/21/12 at 8:46am

He's very famous within certain circles. Actually, a 45-foot diameter.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#102

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/21/12 at 10:27am

FYI The soundtrack for the series is now available in the U.S. It's on Amazon and on ITunes.CD includes three vocal songs:

Did I make the Most of Loving You? sung by Mary-Jess
If You Were the Only Girl in the World and Roses of Picardy both sung by Alfie Boe.
Downton Abbey Soundtrack

#103

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 8:46am

The scene where Lady G tells O'Brien that the two of them will be helping at the soup kitchen is my favorite moment so far, even surpassing Maggie Smith's moments.

"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#104

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 11:20am

Mine too! The look on O'Brien's face was priceless. And I knownit was a bit cheesy with the singing and all, but the scene where Matthew walked in as Mary was singing was really touching- Mary's expression said it all about these two. I so hope they get a chance to be together- we all know they're soul mates!

#105

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 11:33am

I have to say, I really like the way they're giving Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Grantham) more to chew on as an actress. Her character locking horns with Mrs. Crawley and taking over the running of the convalescent center (as far as the household is concerned), plus her stepping up to the plate with the soup kitchen, has really been fun to watch. I'm glad she's growing as a character. Actually, they all are. Wartime brings out the best and worst in people, and it's a great setting to watch characters develop.

i'm lovin' it!

EDIT: The singing scene didn't bother me at all. Mary's not a "stage performer." She freely admits it, and the fact that it was awkward for her was perfect for the character and scene. She carried the tune and followed through admirably. And it developed into quite a touching moment when Matthew returned.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 11:33 AM

#106

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 11:44am

I must say, it's a bit freaky to see some of these actors out of costume and makeup. They look SO different.

Here's O'Brien:

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Here's Thomas:

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Here's the cook, Mrs. Patmore:

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

And here's a GREAT one. Mrs. Crawley, just a few years back:

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 11:44 AM

#107

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 1:17pm

I agree. Watching the behind the scenes featurette and seeing these actors out of character is really weird. I'll add a few more.

Laura Carmichael AKA: as Lady Edith

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Michelle Dockery AKA: Lady Mary

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Jessica Brown Findlay AKA Lady Sybill

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Joanne Froggatt AKA Anna

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Brendan Coyle AKA Mr.Bates

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Phyllis Logan AKA Mrs.Hughes

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Sophie McShera AKA Daisy

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Jim Carter AKA Carson

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Dan Stevens AKA Matthew Crawley

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-

#108

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 1:22pm

Lady Sybill could pass for Scarlett Johanssen's sister.

"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#109

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 1:42pm

A few more

Penelope Wilton as Isobel

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Thomas Howes AKA William

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Rob James-Collier AKA Thomas

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Hugh Bonneville AKA Robert Crawley

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Elizabeth McGovern AKA Cora

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

And of finally Dame Maggie Smith

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-

#110

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 3:38pm

Siobhan O'Finneran (O'Brien) started her career in one of the title roles for a notorious 1980s film about two ~~teenage slags~~ schoolgirls from a sink estate and the ~~odious git~~ sales rep. they babysit for.

Be warned: this film isn't for people of a sensitive disposition and is definitely from the opposite end of the social spectrum to Downton Abbey.
Rita, Sue and Bob too

#111

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 4:36pm

Dan started out in The Line of Beauty (hmmmmmm, I wonder what that's a reference to?) where he got some man-on-man action,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk-C8I8pIj0

some more man-on-man action,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxlX6eZqozs&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fresults%3Fsearch_query%3DThe%2Bline%2Bof%2Bbeauty%26oq%3DThe%2Bline%2Bof%2Bbeauty%26aq%3Df%26aqi%3Dg4%26aql%3D%26gs_sm%3De%26gs_upl%3D19073l22693l0l23750l18l17l0l9l9l1l290l1675l0.3.5l8l0

and finally, a bit of man-on-man action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_stXnZzHD7w

#112

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 5:46pm

And, ofcourse, Dan's been my avatar for the last three years:

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

(though whether he returns is still under negotiation)

#113

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 6:17pm

Behind the scenes.

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 06:17 PM

#114

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 6:27pm

Such a terrific cast, truly.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#115

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 8:00pm

Downton Abbey won Best Drama in the UK's National Television Awards tonight. These awards are voted on by the viewers.

#116

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 8:30pm

Never thought Mrs. Patmore could be so significantly younger in real life! Switching topics, for me a cardinal virtue of Downton is how many of the characters are multi-faceted, not all good or all bad. O'Brien's genuine remorse after the soap incident coexists with her prior and post conniving. And Edith had Mary's heart in mind when she told her Matthew was missing, despite Edith's prior sniping. Other examples of same abound.

Probably everybody knows this, but Jim Carter (Mr. Carson) is married to Imelda Staunton (current Mrs. Lovett in London), with whom he is pictured in one of the above pics.

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 08:30 PM

#117

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 9:23pm

I agree with you about the characters not all "wearing black hats or white hats." The villains have good in them, and the good people have some bad moments as well.

It makes them more realistic, and it also keeps us guessing as to how things are going to play out.

In addition to O'Brien being such a "baddy" and your mentioning her genuine remorse for the soap incident, she is also very protective of the shellshocked servant. His mother was a lady's maid, and she noticed how good he was with a needle and thread. To see how little she cares for just about all of humanity and then have her not only treat this man with respect but also look out for him is surprising and refreshing. Gives her many more layers as a "person."

Other characters have been the same. Even Lord Grantham, who is largely a "good guy" has had his mean streaks and lapses of judgment. Again, good for Julian Fellows and the scripts for making them all so interesting.

EDIT: And I'll add in Mrs. Crawley, who I think is a fine person and has a terrific work ethic, loves her son, etc. She turned into a genuine pain in the butt and became over-the-top power-hungry when the house turned into a convalescent home. I don't blame Lady Grantham for losing her patience with her and gladly letting her leave when she threatened to. They are both "good guys," but to see them lock horns and challenge each other was unexpected and fascinating.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 1/25/12 at 09:23 PM

#118

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 10:52pm

O'Brien becomes increasingly sympathetic in Series 2--something some critics have hated, but I felt was a natural progression.

#119

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/25/12 at 10:58pm

Hey, no spoilers now, or I'll have to kill you.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#120

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/26/12 at 2:19am

Scripps, thanks for that link to Rita, Sue and Bob, Too. I'd never even heard of it before. It's quite the little curio. I can't get the title song out of my head, either.

#121

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/26/12 at 7:30am

Brendan Coyle is a darling! My favorite character.

#122

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/26/12 at 8:32am

Phyllis Logan (the housekeeper Mrs. Hughes) is definitely another one who looks so much different and younger out of costume and makeup and in modern garb.

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#123

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/26/12 at 4:58pm

"Scripps, thanks for that link to Rita, Sue and Bob, Too. I'd never even heard of it before. It's quite the little curio."

And not of the sort that the Dowager would keep in her cabinet.

I think the contrast between the stupid tart in that and the austere, bitter O'Brien demonstrate remarkable versatility on the part of Siobhan Finneran.

"I can't get the title song out of my head, either."

Did you say you were a Sondheim fan?

#124

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/26/12 at 5:15pm

I am indeed. Is there some connection to him with this that I'm missing or I am just dense?

Speaking of dense, I won't even dream to tell you what I thought "sink estate" meant until I was well into the movie, because if you think I'm an idiot now, you'd really think I was an idiot when I tell you I somehow got in my head "sink estate" meant Rita and Sue were heiresses to some kind of bathroom dynasty. Thanks to a Wiki-hole that I fell in, though, I can safely say that I'm now slightly more informed about council housing than most Americans.

And I agree with you about the contrast between Rita and O'Brien. I think Downton was my first exposure to Siobhan Finneran, so it was a lot of fun to see her so much younger and in such a different role.

Updated On: 1/26/12 at 05:15 PM

#125

For the Maggie Smith fans: Downton Abbey

Posted: 1/26/12 at 5:25pm

"Is there some connection to him with this that I'm missing or I am just dense"

No connection. Not dense. Read the comment in a tone of Maggie Smith imperiousness - it's intended to be humorous.

"I won't even dream to tell you what I thought "sink estate" meant"

I guess the American equivalent is "trailer trash".

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