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Siobhan Finneran

Born on January 2, 1966 (Capricorn)

Not a ringlet in sight!

Siobhan Finneran says she gets a kick out of playing the nasty scheming Sarah O’Brien on Downton Abbey. Apparently they call her Darth Vader on the set. Finneran has been on TV since 1986, with a stint on the ever popular Coronation Street from 1989-1990. Before Downton Abbey infamy, Finneran was often recognized as mouthy Janice Garvey in the ITV comedy Benidorm. Siobhan’s first major role was Rita in the 1986 film, Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Siobhan is married to former Heartbeat star Mark Jordon. They have two children.

Siobhan Finneran appears much different onscreen than off. Finneran says she isn’t often recognized as her Downton Abbey character because she doesn’t look quite as ‘severe’ in real life. Fans love to hate scheming O’Brien, she’s such a nasty piece of work with just the occasional sliver of humanity peeking through the darkness. If you think O’Brien is nasty when she’s working with Thomas, wait until they use their dark sides to work against each other…

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."

Siobhan Finneran

Downton Abbey Trivia

Hunks of Downton Abbey

Extras

Shirley Maclaine Interview