Downton Abbey star unrecognisable in new gritty Netflix role

Edinburgh Live

2 days ago

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A former Downton Abbey heartthrob, known for his sharp suits and love of racing cars, is about to swap the aristocratic charm for a grittier persona in an upcoming Netflix series.
Available to stream from Friday, Dept Q tells the grim tale of a detective grappling with PTSD while unravelling unsolved mysteries from a gloomy basement office.
Matthew Goode, who charmed audiences as the debonair Henry Talbot, Lady Mary Crawley's (portrayed by Michelle Dockery) on-screen husband in Downton Abbey, tackles the lead role of Carl Morck.
He passed up the chance to be part of the third Downton film due to clashes with shooting for Dept Q, but later expressed relief to Radio Times at hanging up Henry's attire.
(Image: NETFLIX)
He said: "Let's face it, he was edging towards becoming a bit of a wet lettuce!" Years on, Goode's rugged look and beard for the new gig are so transformative that even his die-hard followers might do a double-take spotting him.
The English actor's versatility extends beyond the UK shores – he's made significant impressions in Hollywood as well.
For example, he captivated viewers in The Crown where he took on the role of the dashing Antony Armstrong-Jones, portraying the 1st Earl of Snowdon in the show's second season.
His portrayal garnered him an Emmy Award nomination, earning accolades in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category, reports the Express.
(Image: ITV)
Several years ago, he even dipped his toes into the vampire fantasy genre with a role in A Discovery of Witches.
He also starred alongside renowned US pop sensation Mandy Moore in Chasing Liberty, where he embodied a British spy safeguarding a runaway First Daughter from impending danger.
Whilst he may not be Hollywood's most recognised name to date, he certainly made an impression acting alongside Brad Pitt in the war thriller Allied.
Matthew has evidently journeyed far since his acting debut in the 2002 TV film Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.
Fast forward 23 years, and he's now delving into the gripping Dept Q series, based on the original series by best-selling Danish crime author Jussi Adler-Olsen, who boasts over 27 million book sales to his name.
Fans might struggle to recognise him now sporting a tousled beard - but they're bound to appreciate his acting prowess as they gradually adjust to this new look.