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Downton Abbey Cast Off Screen

On screen, it’s rare to see the black clad characters of Downton crack a smile or cut loose. It’s interesting to imagine what our favourite characters might be like off screen.

Thomas played by Rob James-Collier

Formerly a hunky love interest on Coronation Street, Rob James Collier plays a scheming footman who may or may not be capable of redemption or warm feelings.

Lady Sybil played by Jessica Brown-Findlay

Lady Sybil Downton Abbey

It’s no wonder this little English Rose has the chauffeur chasing her around Downton. She has most male viewers hot under the collar as well.

Mrs Hughes played by Phyllis Logan

mrs hughes downton abbey

Mrs Hughes leads a life of quiet servitude on Downton Abbey, but off screen she looks a little more interesting.

Mr Bates played by Brendan Coyle

Mr Bates

Loyal and loveable Mr. Bates charms off the screen too, despite the fact he may be a murderer.

Matthew Crawley played by Dan Stevens

Matthew Crawley

Downton Abbey’s answer to Ryan Gosling can’t shake his crush on Mary. He looks slightly more cheerful in real life.

Lord Grantham played by Hugh Bonneville

Lord Grantham, Downton

Stiff upper lipped Lord Grantham looks dashing and interesting off screen.

Lady Mary played by Michelle Dockery

It’s refreshing to see Lady Mary lets her hair down in real life.

Lady Edith played by Laura Carmichael

Lady Edith is a bit of a frump on screen but an elegant Ginger off screen.

Anna Bates played by Joanne Froggat

Thoughtful and determined to get her man, Anna looks a bit saucier offscreen. We don’t really get to mine the depths of her hidden passion on-screen with Mr. Bates.

Carson played by Jim Carter

Carson is a traditionalist with a soft side, but off-screen he looks like he might be fun if he got into the sherry at Christmas time.

Daisy played by Sophie McShera

Behind every nervous scullery maid lurks a vixen in red. Yowza.

Downton Abbey costs an average of one million pounds per episode to produce.

As of 2013, Downton Abbey is the highest rated PBS "Masterpiece" drama series of all time, seen by an estimated 120 million viewers in 200 countries and regions.

Gillian Anderson reportedly turned down the part of Lady Cora Grantham.

The real estate that "plays" Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle, has been the home of the Carnarvon family since 1679. In 1922, George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, co-discovered the Tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. On the show, the names of the Earl of Grantham's beloved dogs, Isis and Pharaoh, are nods to the real castle's connection to Egyptian history.

According to Julian Fellowes, the parts played by Hugh Bonneville, Brendan Coyle and Maggie Smith were written for the actors.

It was reported that Steven Waddington auditioned for the part of Bates.

When Downton Abbey first aired, Julian Fellowes (creator and producer) was annoyed at the media for pointing out anachronisms like TV aerials and the use of the word 'boyfriend'. (The word 'boyfriend appeared in print in 1889, long before the period setting of Downton). Fellowes said "they think to show how smart they are by picking holes in the program to promote their own poshness and to show that their knowledge is greater than your knowledge". In a later article coinciding with the start of the second season, Fellowes apologised and commented "I behaved rather badly by getting the hump."