Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Downton Abbey - Series 3 TCA Spoilers

Last week, the show wasn't just nominated for sixteen Emmys but it was also at the Television Critics Association with some of the cast members of Downton Abbey and low and behold, some spoilers were unveiled too.


1. Count on the Dowager Countess! Lady Violet’s wit strikes again as she anticipates the arrival of her daughter-in-law’s mother Martha (Shirley MacLaine). “When I’m with her, I’m reminded of the virtues of the English,” she tells dinner guests. “But she’s American,” one says. “Exactly,” she responds. More verbal smackdowns ensue between Violet and Martha in the trailer.

2. O’Brien gets maternal. Is the dour lady’s maid going soft? O’Brien’s towering nephew is the new footman, and we see her acting in a downright nurturing fashion, even defending him to Thomas. Is the dastardly downstairs duo no longer on the same team?

3. Love still isn’t easy. Although there’s no real update on Bates and Anna (they’re in love; he’s still in prison), Matthew and Mary are bickering again… about what, it’s unclear. “God, Matthew, how can you be so disappointing?” Lady Mary says to her fiancĂ©. “Deep down, you’re not on our side.” Uh-oh!

4. Trading Downton for the poorhouse? It appears that the Earl of Grantham has made a very bad investment and has lost almost all of the family’s fortune… including the money that Cora brought to their marriage. Interestingly, Lady Grantham isn’t too bothered. “We have a wedding to celebrate,” she says. “Let’s make sure it’s a great day. If it’s to be our last, let’s make it a wonderful last.”

5. A Crawley wedding. It’s not clear if it’s Lady Edith or Lady Mary getting hitched on that wonderful day, but we do see that Edith is still seeing her older gentleman friend. Could Mary and Matthew bicker themselves into last place in the race down the aisle?


Above a cast show for the upcoming third season, featuring MacLaine's character, Martha Levinson and some more spoilers from the TCAs as well ...

6. Matthew is randy… and may get a surprise. Despite his arguments with Mary, Matthew very pointedly tells his fiancĂ©e that he’s looking forward to “all sorts of things” in addition to their wedding. Oh my! “Don’t make me blush,” Mary says. In other Matthew news, the attorney for the late Mr. Swire (aka Lavinia’s father) has contacted him, which may bode well… or ill.

7. Trouble with Branson. Alas, youngest daughter Sybil isn’t experiencing complete marital bliss. Although it’s nice to see the Earl soften enough to invite them to Downton for a dinner, Branson takes this opportunity to voice his rather liberal views, which doesn’t sit well with the majority, including Sybil. Also: Mr. Carson isn’t too keen on playing valet to Branson, whom he still refers to as “that grubby little chauffeur.”

8. That’s soooo 1921. The Crawley women are fully embracing the fashions of the 1920s, including loose, flapper-style dresses and finger-wave hairdos.

9. Isis is back! The cast jokes that the animal actor (who is confusingly named Abby, by the way) is getting too big for her canine britches since last season’s starring role in the finale. “She demanded a bigger kennel,” jokes Hugh Bonneville, who plays Robert, the Earl of Grantham.


Also for those of you wondering whether or not the show would garner another Christmas special - well, the answer is yes, it has. Considering that last year's one was the highest rated thing over the festive period, it makes total sense that ITV1 would commission another one and this year's special has former Bad Girls actress Simone Lahbib playing ladies maid Wilkins while Twilight actress, MyAnna Buring will be playing the role of Edna, a forward thinking maid. Hopefully, Edna's fate is more in line with Gwen from Series 1 and not Ethel's in Series 2. Either way, some exciting stuff ahead in the next few months.

Series 3 Spoilers: http://fuckyesdowntonabbey.tumblr.com/post/27769044231/9-downton-abbey-spoilers-trouble-with-matthew-and

Downton Abbey's third series will air on ITV1 from September. Time and dates to be confirmed of course.

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