Downton Abbey Season 5 Cast News: George Clooney to Appear, Female Characters Take Charge
George Clooney will appear in "Downton Abbey" though not in the way fans think. The American actor will appear in a Christmas sketch for charity. However, the new female additions to the cast will shake up the residents of the Abbey and fans.
Clooney, who has acted in countless films and the long-running drama "ER," will appear in sketch for ITV's "Text Santa" charity, according to E! Online. The actor will appear in a minutes-long sketch in Highclere Castle, where the hit British TV drama is shot.
ITV has not clarified what role Clooney will be playing in the sketch and, since he will not appear in any Season 5 episodes or the Christmas special, it is assured that the American actor will not interact with any of Downton's characters. However, Downton's cast will be shaken up by other new additions, especially female ones.
Three female characters will shake up the house and fictional aristocratic family. According to the Telegraph, Season 4 newcomer Sarah Bunting, played by Daisy Lewis, shakes up the house as Branson's new love interest. Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, described how his character interacts with Bunting.
"It's partly that she's left wing in her attitudes, but mainly she's just b----y rude," he said. "So there's a lot of sparring between them because she tells it like it is with an immense lack of tact, and it there's one thing Robert has learnt over the years it's tact."
Another addition to the cast is the Dowager Countess' new lady's maid. Played by Sue Johnston, the new addition was picked because she could spar with Maggie Smith, who plays the aging countess.
"I felt quite strongly that once we were having a maid she had to be a very strong character to hold her own, because obviously she would be on screen with Maggie a great deal," said the show's creator Julian Fellows.
"You don't want a shrinking violet opposite the Dowager because she'd make mincemeat of them."
The last female newcomer will be Anna Chancellor, who will star as Lady Anstruther, according to the Mirror, causing tension for handsome footman Jimmy.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of latinpost.com