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Tom Cullen

Tom Cullen: born July 17, 1985 (Cancer)

A whole lotta British hunk!

Tom Cullen hails from Wales. He was born in Aberystwyth, and brought up in Llandrindod Wells and Cardiff. Cullen was raised by writers and almost went into music before becoming an actor. While attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, he left to star in Daddy’s Girl with Jaime Winstone. Since then, Cullen has worked extensively in film, television and the stage. He starred in BBC Television short 20 Questions, earning Best Actor at the IMS Awards. He also worked on stage at the Bristol Old Vic in Wales.

Cullen’s performance in the 2011 film Weekend earned critical acclaim. His performances as Jonas in Black Mirror and Wulfric in the Ridley Scott movie World Without End were also well received. Cullen recently finished working on Desert Dancer, the true story of an Iranian dancer who risked his life to become a dancer, despite a dancing ban. Also watch for Cullen in upcoming Last Day on Mars with fellow hunk Liev Schreiber. Most recently Cullen is cast as Lord Anthony Gillingham on Downton Abbey.

If any of you ladies are wondering, Cullen is dating Canadian actress Tatiana Maslany.

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."

Tom Cullen

Tom Cullen: born July 17, 1985 (Cancer)

Downton Abbey Trivia

Hunks of Downton Abbey

Extras

Shirley Maclaine Interview