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Rose Leslie

Born February 9, 1987 (Aquarius)

For a relative newcomer, Rose Leslie has landed two big hits to date, Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. Leslie appeared in all seven episodes of the first season of Downton as a maid hoping to rise above her station. In a case of real life role reversal, Rose Leslie actually grew up in a castle near Aberdeen. Lickleyhead Castle has been in Leslie’s family for 500 years. Rose Leslie spent her early years in the 15th century home surrounded by 30 acres of forests and gardens. Speaking of castles, on Game of Thrones, Rose Leslie plays wildling Ygritte, a strong-willed gal, both witty and skilled in wilderness survival.

Rose Leslie attended Millfield School before spending three years at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Leslie hadn’t done any stage productions before Millfield, which boasts an excellent drama department. After 5 years, she was offered at place at LAMDA. Leslie’s TV film debut came in 2009, with New Town. Rose Leslie won a Scottish BAFTA for Best Acting Performance in the new talent category.

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."

Rose Leslie

Downton Abbey Trivia

Hunks of Downton Abbey

Extras

Shirley Maclaine Interview