Downton Abbey was a smash hit for ITV during its run from 2010 to 2015, propelling the cast into global superstardom and turning even the lesser-known actors into household names. But what have the stars of the show been up to since the cameras stopped rolling at Highclere castle?
Unsurprisingly, Downton has opened up a lot of doors for the cast as a whole, with many members going on to act in Hollywood movies and pursue other avenues of performing.
While some have been working non-stop, others have opted to have a well-deserved rest. Here’s a run through of what the cast of Downton Abbey are up to now…
Michelle Dockery
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Michelle Dockery starred as Lady Mary in Downton, becoming a household name and earning critical acclaim in the form of Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Since the show ended, Michelle has taken on roles that are worlds away from high society. In 2016, she took on the part of con artist Letty in US TV series Good Behavior and this year she starred as Alice in Godless, a Netflix-produced Wild Western.
Laura Carmichael
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Since appearing as the shy and unlucky-in-love Lady Edith, Laura has continued to act. She worked alongside Anna Friel in ITV’s Marcella and next to Rosamund Pike in movie A United Kingdom.
It’s not just screen projects Laura’s working on - she’s currently starring alongside Stockard Channing in West End play Apologia, having previously tread the boards in The Maids.
Oh, and as for her sisterly bond with Michelle Dockery a.k.a Lady Mary? The pair are still firm friends.
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Jessica Brown Findlay
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After her Downton character Lady Sybil tragically died, Jessica has starred in other period dramas including the BBC’s adaptation of Jamaica Inn in 2014 and ITV’s 2017 series Harlots. Next year will see the release of two films Jessica stars in - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (in which she’s reunited with Downton co-star Lily James) and Iris Warriors.
Hugh Bonneville
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Established actor Hugh has been very busy indeed since his turn as Downton’s Lord Grantham ended. He’s played Lord Louis Mountbatten in movie Viceroy’s House and narrated a series of books based on the children’s TV show Sofia the First.
At the minute Hugh is reprising his role as BBC employee Ian Fletcher in comedy W1A and stars in the upcoming movies Breathe and Paddington 2.
Elizabeth McGovern
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Her role as Lady Cora has clearly given Elizabeth McGovern a taste for playing high society ladies in the early 20th century, as she’s currently doing just that in Broadway play Time and the Conways.
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As well as treading the Broadway boards, Elizabeth is making music with her band Sadie & the Hotheads and also appearing in films – she’ll feature in The Commuter alongside Liam Neeson when it’s released next year.
Jim Carter
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Jim Carter has been living life at a not-too-hectic pace following his stint as Mr. Carson in Downton, having done some voiceover work and acted in a BBC TV-movie since the hit show ended.
Next up for Jim is 2018 film Swimming with Men – a comedy about a group of synchronised swimmers, also starring Rob Brydon.
Joanne Froggatt
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Following her global success playing maid Anna Bates, Joanne Froggatt has made herself a household name. She’s appeared in various film and TV projects – most notably as Laura Nielson in ITV’s thriller Liar.
It’s been confirmed the hit show will be back for another series, which Joanne is due to act in - and she’ll also appear in Mary Shelley, a film about the love affair that resulted in Frankenstein being written.
Fun fact: since 2015, Joanne has voiced Wendy in kids TV show Bob the Builder – who knew?
Dan Stevens
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His turn as Matthew Crawley served Dan Stevens well as not long after, Hollywood came calling. He starred as the Beast opposite Emma Watson’s Belle in Disney’s recent adaptation of Beauty and the Beast and bagged the lead role in US TV series Legion. This Christmas, Dan plays Charles Dickens alongside Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge in The Man Who Invented Christmas.
Lily James
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Lily James is another Downton star who’s done incredibly well since the show ended. Following her stint as headstrong Lady Rose, Lily has fronted a Disney's 2015 remake of Cinderella, starred in an epic BBC adaptation of War and Peace and proved she can certainly pull of fast-paced action as Debora in Baby Driver.
Lily is set to show off her singing chops next, as she’s currently filming for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, in which she plays a younger version of Meryl Streep’s Donna.
In her personal life, Lily is dating The Crown’s Matt Smith; the couple have been together since 2014.
Allen Leech
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After winning hearts as Downton’s loveable chauffeur Tom Branson, Allen has starred as Eddie Roe in TV series Bellevue and as Richard Addison in film The Hunter’s Prayer. He’s currently filming for the part of Freddie Mercury’s personal manager Paul Prenter in upcoming Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which will cover the years leading up to the band’s legendary appearance at Live Aid 1985.
It seems with much of his work set in America, the Irish-born actor is settling there for now. In early 2017, The Los Angeles Times reported that Allen had bought a property in Los Angeles’ Studio City.
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Rob James-Collier
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After playing troubled servant Thomas Barrow in Downton, Rob stuck with ITV and starred in a crime drama on the channel called The Level. The actor has also branched in to horror, playing Hutch in The Ritual (currently in cinemas).
As for his personal life? He recently relocated with his partner and son to a village on Dartmoor, says Radio Times. He has renovated several Victorian houses and hopes to open an organic bar in the near future. Watch this space!
(Main image: ITV)
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