Watch George Clooney make a visit to Downton Abbey (2024)

Watch George Clooney make a visit to Downton Abbey (1)

(Image credit: ITV/Screenshot)

Watch George Clooney make a visit to Downton Abbey (2)

By Scott Meslow

last updated

As part of ITV's "Text Santa" charity drive, the cast of Downton Abbey has filmed a pair of short movies, riffing on It's a Wonderful Life with a story about what would happen if Lord Grantham had never been born. As it turns out, no less a star than George Clooney would have taken his place.

In part two, Clooney appears as "the most honorable George Oceans Gravity, the Marquis of Hollywood." Typecast, inevitably, as a handsome charming guy, Clooney even manages to win over the Dowager Countess. But for all the fun of watching Clooney mingle with the Downton Abbey gang, the sharpest gag comes in a self-deprecating appearance by series creator Julian Fellowes, in which he admits that he's more concerned about tiny historical accuracies than telling a coherent story.

Watch both parts below. --Scott Meslow

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Watch George Clooney make a visit to Downton Abbey (4)

Scott Meslow

Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.

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Watch George Clooney make a visit to Downton Abbey (2024)

FAQs

What role did George Clooney have in Downton Abbey? ›

In part two, Clooney appears as "the most honorable George Oceans Gravity, the Marquis of Hollywood." Typecast, inevitably, as a handsome charming guy, Clooney even manages to win over the Dowager Countess.

What does Downton Abbey talk about? ›

The British historical drama program Downton Abbey has captivated audiences all over the world with its stories of the trials and tribulations of an aristocratic family, their servants, and the fate of their eponymous estate.

Do I have to watch the first Downton Abbey movie? ›

Watching Downton Abbey: A New Era without seeing the first film or a single episode is very intimidating, to put it mildly. Before you ask—yes, this move was intentional.

What is the first Downton Abbey show about? ›

The first series of Downton Abbey comprises seven episodes, was broadcast in the UK from 26 September 2010, and explored the lives of the Crawley family and their servants from the day after the sinking of the RMS Titanic in April 1912 to the outbreak of the First World War on 4 August 1914.

Who turned down Downton Abbey? ›

Gillian Anderson says she was offered the role of Cora on Downton Abbey, but she passed. Sure, Anderson's a staple of the prestige British period drama (Bleak House, The Crimson Petal and the White, Great Expectations), but it's hard to see her as the airy, sort of soft Lady Cora.

Why did Tom Branson leave Downton Abbey? ›

Moving On. Tom deeply loves and cares for his daugher Sybbie and considers leaving Downton to help his cousin in Boston, taking his daughter along with him. He still loves Sybil. Series 5 ends with every indication that Tom and Sybbie are moving to America.

Why do people love Downton Abbey so much? ›

Beyond the classic components of a successful historical drama – likeable characters, a stunning setting, strong storylines – the Downton narrative shines a light on key historical themes and social issues that still resonate powerfully today.

Why was Downton Abbey cancelled? ›

Inevitably, there comes a time when all shows should end, and 'Downton' is no exception. Neame later said, via The Independent, that it was Dame Maggie Smith's unwillingness to sign on for a seventh season that led to the producers' and the network's decision to end the series.

What does the royal family think of Downton Abbey? ›

It has previously been reported that the Queen is a fan of Downton Abbey. According to Brian Hoey, the author of At Home With The Queen, the monarch would watch the show when it aired from 2011 to 2018 and “point out things they have got wrong, partly because she is familiar with Highclere Castle, where it is filmed”.

How many hours does it take to watch All of Downton Abbey? ›

“Downton Abbey” ran for 56 hours. And you could finish “Lost” in five days and one hour, if you could stay awake that long — which you can't, so don't even think about it. (Want to know how long it will take to watch some other classic television series? Get thee to bingeclock.com — and they'll fill you in.)

What war did Lord Grantham and Bates fight in? ›

It is some time before the rest of the servants learn that Bates is an old friend, and served Lord Grantham in the Boer War as batman. This is where he received his leg injury.

Is Downton Abbey worth watching? ›

Downton Abbey is the embodiment of excellence. Well written with intelligent and inspiring storylines. The cast is superb and the show rises above the mediocrity that is all too prevalent in the entertainment industry.

Why was it called Downton Abbey? ›

In reality the property's history dates back 1300 years when a former house on the site was owned by the Bishops of Winchester, hence the term 'abbey. ' In the 18th century, the gardens were sculpted by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, a landscape architect who designed more than 170 gardens.

How old were the girls at the beginning of Downton Abbey? ›

The Downton Abbey Series 1 script says Mary was 21 in 1912 (and thus born in 1891), that Edith was 20 (thus born in 1982) and that Sybil was 17 (thus born in 1895) (edited by HarryPotterRules1) 0 A Fandom user · 9/21/2013 Julian Fellowes announced that in 1912, Mary Crawley was 21, Edith 20, and Sybil 17.

Is Downton Abbey a true story? ›

The series, set on the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926, depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era, and the effects the great events of the time have on their lives and on the British social hierarchy.

What happens to Sybbie in Downton Abbey? ›

Lady Sybil finally gives birth vagin*lly. The joy, however, is short-lived as she soon develops a decerebrate posture and dies. Robert's wife Cora blames Robert. To help the couple reconcile, Dr Clarkson later reluctantly rationalises that Sybil's condition was such that hospitalisation would not have saved her.

What role did George Clooney play? ›

His first major role was on the sitcom E/R (1984) as Ace. More roles soon followed, including George Burnett, the handsome handyman on The Facts of Life (1979); Booker Brooks, a supervisor on Roseanne (1988); and Detective James Falconer on Sisters (1991).

What did O'Brien do in Downton Abbey? ›

Sarah O'Brien, also known as Miss O'Brien or simply O'Brien, was a lady's maid to Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham. She is never particularly happy, but she is always bitter. Although she sometimes flatters the ladies of the house, she rarely means it.

Who does Tom marry after Sybil in Downton Abbey? ›

In 1927, he met his future wife, Lucy Smith and subsequently married her in a lavish ceremony held at their new home, which Lucy will inherit from her natural mother, Maud Bagshaw. It is revealed that Lucy is pregnant and she later gives birth to a baby boy.

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