ITV Downton Abbey cast now - tragic deaths, off-screen romances and rise to fame

Edinburgh Live

04-05-2025

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Since its debut in 2010, the ITV drama Downton Abbey has captured the hearts of television enthusiasts, and it's no surprise that viewers are clamouring for more.
The British series, set between 1912 and 1926, revolves around the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, chronicling the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic staff.
Featuring a cast of beloved TV actors, the show delves into several pivotal historical events, including the First World War, the Spanish flu pandemic, the Irish War of Independence, and the decline of the British aristocracy.
Downton Abbey garnered worldwide praise, winning over audiences and critics alike, and receiving numerous award nominations, such as Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy Awards. After its conclusion in 2015, the show's extraordinary success led to the production of two feature films in 2019 and 2022, with a third one anticipated to premiere in 2025.
Considering the extensive cast, it's hardly shocking that many have gone on to achieve significant success on TV or have emerged as rising stars in the realm of television and film, according to the Express. Let's take a look at what the Downton Abbey cast is doing now, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Hugh Bonneville - Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham.
(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
Lord Grantham, the head of the Crawley family, was profoundly attached to his ancestral home at Downton and was dedicated to preserving the estate for future generations.
Bonneville's performance in Downton Abbey was widely acclaimed, earning him two Emmy nominations and recognition from the Golden Globes.
Post-Downton, Bonneville has remained a fixture on British television, while also making waves in Hollywood with roles such as Henry Brown in the Paddington films, Muppets Most Wanted and Bank of Dave.
He recently starred in The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, Douglas Is Cancelled and the BBC drama The Gold.
Laura Carmichael - Lady Edith Crawley.
(Image: Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
The empathetic Edith had no desire for marriage but was keen to carve out her own career in journalism. She experienced her fair share of heartbreak - being left at the altar by Sir Anthony Strallan and losing her second fiancé Michael Gregson.
Post-Downton, Laura Carmichael returned to film where her character had two children and ran a publishing business. Beyond Downton, Laura has appeared in dramas like Marcella, The Spanish Princess and The Secrets She Keeps.
Off-screen, Carmichael is in a relationship with her Downton Abbey co-star Michael C. Fox, and they have a son together.
Michelle Dockery - Lady Mary Josephine Talbot.
(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
(Image: Gareth Cattermole/for Focus Features)
Initially, Lady Mary was a petulant and cold young woman, but as the series progressed, she displayed more vulnerability and kindness. Tragically, she lost her husband Matthew following the birth of their son, and later married racing driver Henry.
Since her time on Downton, Dockery has taken up roles in Anatomy of a Scandal, This Town, Godless, Good Behaviour and the films The Gentlemen and Here. She is currently married to Jasper Waller-Bridge, brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The Dowager Countess of Grantham, known for her sharp wit despite her age, was a key character in Downton Abbey, appearing until the second film.
Dame Maggie Smith - Violet Crawley.
Already a well-established actress through her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series and her two Oscar wins for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite, Dame Maggie Smith played Violet Crawley. In her later years, she was honoured in the documentary Nothing Like a Dame alongside Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright.
Her recent works include A Boy Called Christmas and The Miracle Club. Sadly, the beloved actress passed away at 89 in September last year.
Jessica Brown Findlay - Lady Sybil Crawley.
Brown Findlay was cast as Lady Sybil Crawley, the youngest and most progressive of the Grantham daughters. She is the family's most politically active member and strongly advocates for treating Downton's staff as equals.
Fans will remember Sybil's romance with the family's chauffeur, Thomas Branson, and its tragic conclusion.
Since her time on Downton, Jessica has graced our screens in a variety of TV shows including BBC One's Jamaica Inn, The Outcast, Harlots, and Netflix's Castlevania. She is also set to star in ITVX's drama Playing Nice and Mother Mary in an upcoming period piece.
Her other roles include Elizabeth in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Linder Sterling in England Is Mine and Munich: The Edge of War.
Dan Stevens played the role of Matthew Reginald Crawley, a middle-class distant relative of the Crawleys who became the heir to the estate in the first episode and subsequently moved to Downton. He was paralysed from the waist down during the First World War but recovered and married Lady Mary.
Tragically, he died in a car accident while driving home from the hospital, leaving his share of Downton to Mary.
Dan has since built a successful career in film and TV, with roles in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, FX series Legion, animated series Solar Opposites and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Elizabeth McGovern portrayed Cora Crawley, known as the Countess of Grantham. She was the wealthy American heiress who helped save Downton.
Compassionate Cora opened up Downton to soldiers during the First World War and served on the hospital board.
The American actress reprised her role for the Downton Abbey films and also appeared in the film The Chaperone. McGovern has also pursued her musical interests with band Sadie and the Hotheads.
McGovern is wedded to British film director and producer Simon Curtis, who helmed the 2022 film and its yet-to-be-named sequel slated for a 2025 release.
Lily James portrayed Lady Rose Aldridge/MacClare.
Audiences witnessed Lady Rose frequently butting heads with others and maintaining a strained relationship with her mother. As the series unfolded, Rose grew up and tied the knot with Atticus Aldridge, the son of Lord and Lady Sinderby, and they have a daughter together.
Lily James, who initially rose to fame during her time on Downton Abbey, later received nominations for a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award for her depiction of Pamela Anderson in Pam and Tommy. The British actress has also featured in films such as The Dig, The Iron Claw, Baby Driver, Yesterday and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Jim Carter played Charles Carson.
As the butler at Downton, audiences quickly warmed to Charles' professionalism, charm and loyalty to the family. He was an indispensable support to the family, especially helping Lady Mary through her grieving period over Matthew.
The seasoned actor, known for his stage and TV roles before joining Downton Abbey, saw his career continue to flourish after the series. He appeared in Transformers: The Last Knight, The Good Liar, The Sea Beast and Wonka.
Carter has also lent his voice to numerous historical documentaries about Stonehenge, the Royal family, World War II and the National Trust.
Joanne Froggatt played Anna Bates.
Anna Bates, portrayed by Joanne Froggatt, was a central character in Downton Abbey, involved in some of the most emotional and dramatic storylines, including love, marriage, and loss, all while serving Lady Mary Crawley and her family.
Froggatt's heartfelt performance earned her three Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe award.
Since leaving Downton, Froggatt has continued to make her mark on the small screen, lending her voice to Wendy in Bob the Builder and appearing in TV shows such as Liar, Angela Black, Sherwood, and North Shore. She also reprised her role for the Downton Abbey films.