First look at Downton Abbey Finale as iconic stars return for last time
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter.
The new series stars Simon Russell Beale, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Joanne Froggatt and Paul Giamatti. It will also include Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Alessandro Nivola, Dominic West, Penelope Wilton, Arty Froushan, Joely Richardson, Paul Copley, and Douglas Reith.
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Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Scotsman
Game of Thrones to Bake Off: The surprising way Scots are falling for orchestral music
Who knew that Sunday night telly could be your gateway to Mozart? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... New research from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) reveals a surprising truth: even if you don't think you're into orchestral music, your TV choices may well say otherwise. A whopping 77% of Scottish adults say TV soundtracks have inspired them to explore the genre further — proving that symphonies and piano concertos aren't just for concert halls anymore. Top of the pops for orchestral discovery? When it comes to the TV shows that inspired people to discover orchestral music, the top choices for Scots were Peaky Blinders (25%), Game of Thrones (19%), followed by; The Crown (18%), Bridgerton (16%), Downton Abbey (16%) and Planet Earth (15%). From dragons to period dramas, it seems Britain's orchestral crush has a killer soundtrack. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Each of these TV shows brings orchestral music to life in its own distinct way — whether it's the brooding cello-led themes of Game of Thrones, Bridgerton's playful string covers of modern pop, Downton's elegant chamber arrangements, or the gritty, genre-blending edge of Peaky Blinders. Downtown Abbey 'We've long-known that orchestral music can stir the soul,' says Tom Philpott, Director of Artistic Planning at the RPO. 'But what's striking is how important popular media is in helping to introduce new audiences to the orchestral world. The influence of orchestral film and TV soundtracks is well documented, but it goes far beyond that. "Our computer game concert this June highlights the significance of gaming in inspiring orchestral discovery – and our new research confirms that TV shows give millions of people an everyday connection to the orchestral genre as well. All these media play their part in introducing diverse audiences to orchestral music, ensuring the genre is relevant to contemporary society – and signposting new audiences to discover more, online and in the concert hall.' Among younger viewers, hits like Bridgerton (27%), The Great British Bake Off (20%) and even Doctor Who (23%)are opening up the orchestral world. Meanwhile,the evergreen charm of Downton Abbey (19%), Planet Earth (13%), Antiques Roadshow (10%) and Poldark (11%), are winning over older audiences. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sarah Bardwell, Managing Director at the RPO adds: 'This cultural shift comes as historical and period dramas dominate headlines and awards, including this year's BAFTA Television Awards. The continued popularity of shows like Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Shōgun reflects a deep audience appetite for stories that echo the past, while resonating with present-day themes. "As it turns out, it's not just the costumes and drama drawing people in — it's the music too. For many, TV isn't just background noise — it's an unexpected bridge to a centuries-old art form. Who would have thought the Great British Bake Off could lead you to Beethoven?'
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Downtown Abbey star, 69, left with plastic bag over head in graveyard
Returning to TV for a new role in Murder Most Puzzling, Phyllis Logan recently revealed that filming for the six-part show required her to get involved in some intense stunts. Phyllis Logan swaps manners for mischief in the deliciously offbeat new crime drama, Murder Most Puzzling - and one scene left her in a delicate position. Living in a lavish home with her niece Sherry (Charlotte Hope), Cora finds herself an unlikely anchor for the younger woman after an abusive relationship. Their bond is complex, but loving. 'It's sweet,' Phyllis Logan says. 'Even though Sherry gets very frustrated with Cora, they adore each other. Cora didn't have kids, but she and her niece are a real family unit. Cora just wants Sherry to get over her divorce.' Together, they swap London for Bakerbury, a sleepy market town with dark secrets and bodies that come with cryptic clues. So, when a corpse shows up alongside a crossword puzzle in the local graveyard, Cora's reputation as the Puzzle Lady puts her on the police's radar – but not always to their delight. 'She really interferes with the investigation,' Phyllis says. 'I mean, who the hell does she think she is? But it's so nice to have a woman of a certain age challenging the system.' Cora doesn't just challenge the establishment – she dives headfirst into danger. Teasing upcoming scenes for her character, Phyllis remembers, 'I was on my knees with a plastic bag over my head,' she says, 'I did that in the middle of the night in a graveyard with a smoke machine. It was very atmospheric.' Although Phyllis was up for the action, she didn't do her own stunts. 'There were lots of stunts, like people falling into graves,' she says, 'I had a fall so we had a stunt double for that. They were a great team.' Best known for her refined roles as Downton Abbey 's Mrs Hughes and Lovejoy 's Lady Jane Felsham, the actress, 69, is throwing off the corset – and lighting a cigarette. In this six-parter, Phyllis plays Cora Felton, a sharp-witted crossword queen with a wild streak. 'She's a wonderful breath of fresh air,' Phyllis says. 'I love the way she drinks Bloody Marys for breakfast and smokes like a demon. She's nice enough, but she really doesn't care. That's what I aspire to be – but not necessarily smoking and drinking vodka.' Cora's been married – and divorced – several times, but Phyllis found the chaos invigorating. 'She has this colourful backdrop to her life,' she says, 'Her marriages have all ended in divorce but she'll enter another one. She's still a bit of a romantic. She hasn't turned into an old cynic.' Seemingly set in the Yorkshire Dales, but shot in Northern Ireland, the show makes full use of the moody scenery. 'We used some countryside which could be anywhere,' Phyllis says, 'But it was lovely filming there. It's a great place, and we had a great time.' And there was a personal element, too. 'We filmed in a place outside Belfast called Ballymena,' she remembers, 'It's where my maternal grandparents were born. They left to go to Scotland.' Co-star Adam Best, who plays lead detective DCI Hooper, offered to help her explore her roots. 'He said he'd drive around the area to see if we could find out more about my grandparents,' Phyllis says, 'But we never really got the chance to do it.' Busy shooting 10-to 12-hour days, Phyllis didn't get much down time. 'I didn't get a chance to do much socialising,' she says, 'I was working most of the time.' But that didn't stop her from forming warm bonds with castmates Charlotte – affectionately known as 'Charlie' – and Alistair Brammer, who plays young journalist Anton Grant. 'Charlotte would go home when she wasn't working,' Phyllis says. 'But we had such a nice time on set. When were waiting for scenes to change around, we'd set up in the green room, which was in somebody's house. She'd be on the bed and I would be at the end of the bed, using it as my office. We were a right trio with Alistair!' The group shared everything, from stories to sweets. 'I'm the old granny of the team,' Phyllis jokes. Though the production team initially offered her a flat, Phyllis chose the comfort of a hotel instead – a decision she doesn't regret. 'I'd open the curtains and the river would be just there. I found it so soothing and relaxing. I'd sit at the table, order a room service soup and a glass of wine.' Off-camera, the puzzle theme continues. 'I like doing the cryptic crossword puzzles,' Phyllis says, 'It feels so good when it's actually done' – making her an apt choice to play Britain's most eccentric clue-solver. With its quirky tone and classic whodunnit twists, Murder Most Puzzling is part Miss Marple, part Ludwig and all Cora. She's chaotic, outspoken and determined to solve crimes – whether you like it or not.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Downton Abbey legend unrecognisable with unexpected new hairstyle in crime drama
After shooting to fame in Downton Abbey as the reliable Mrs Hughes, Phyllis Logan flips the script by starring as the no-nonsense Cora Felton in Murder Most Puzzling. Phyllis Logan swaps manners for mischief in the deliciously offbeat new crime drama, Murder Most Puzzling on Channel 5. Best known for her refined roles as Downton Abbey 's Mrs Hughes and Lovejoy 's Lady Jane Felsham, the actress, 69, is throwing off the corset – and lighting a cigarette. In this six-parter, Phyllis Logan plays Cora Felton, a sharp-witted crossword queen with a wild streak. 'She's a wonderful breath of fresh air,' Phyllis says. 'I love the way she drinks Bloody Marys for breakfast and smokes like a demon. She's nice enough, but she really doesn't care. That's what I aspire to be – but not necessarily smoking and drinking vodka.' Cora's been married – and divorced – several times, but Phyllis found the chaos invigorating. 'She has this colourful backdrop to her life,' she says, 'Her marriages have all ended in divorce but she'll enter another one. She's still a bit of a romantic. She hasn't turned into an old cynic.' Living in a lavish home with her niece Sherry (Charlotte Hope), Cora finds herself an unlikely anchor for the younger woman after an abusive relationship. Their bond is complex, but loving. READ MORE: NARS' new summer collection includes cream eyeshadow that 'doesn't budge' on oily eyelids 'It's sweet,' Phyllis says. 'Even though Sherry gets very frustrated with Cora, they adore each other. Cora didn't have kids, but she and her niece are a real family unit. Cora just wants Sherry to get over her divorce.' Together, they swap London for Bakerbury, a sleepy market town with dark secrets and bodies that come with cryptic clues. So, when a corpse shows up alongside a crossword puzzle in the local graveyard, Cora's reputation as the Puzzle Lady puts her on the police's radar – but not always to their delight. 'She really interferes with the investigation,' Phyllis says. 'I mean, who the hell does she think she is? But it's so nice to have a woman of a certain age challenging the system.' Cora doesn't just challenge the establishment – she dives headfirst into danger. Teasing upcoming scenes for her character, Phyllis remembers, 'I was on my knees with a plastic bag over my head,' she says, 'I did that in the middle of the night in a graveyard with a smoke machine. It was very atmospheric.' Although Phyllis was up for the action, she didn't do her own stunts. 'There were lots of stunts, like people falling into graves,' she says, 'I had a fall so we had a stunt double for that. They were a great team.' Seemingly set in the Yorkshire Dales, but shot in Northern Ireland, the show makes full use of the moody scenery. 'We used some countryside which could be anywhere,' Phyllis says, 'But it was lovely filming there. It's a great place, and we had a great time.' And there was a personal element, too. 'We filmed in a place outside Belfast called Ballymena,' she remembers, 'It's where my maternal grandparents were born. They left to go to Scotland.' Co-star Adam Best, who plays lead detective DCI Hooper, offered to help her explore her roots. 'He said he'd drive around the area to see if we could find out more about my grandparents,' Phyllis says, 'But we never really got the chance to do it.' Busy shooting 10-to 12-hour days, Phyllis didn't get much down time. 'I didn't get a chance to do much socialising,' she says, 'I was working most of the time.' But that didn't stop her from forming warm bonds with castmates Charlotte – affectionately known as 'Charlie' – and Alistair Brammer, who plays young journalist Anton Grant. 'Charlotte would go home when she wasn't working,' Phyllis says, 'But we had such a nice time on set. When were waiting for scenes to change around, we'd set up in the green room, which was in somebody's house. She'd be on the bed and I would be at the end of the bed, using it as my office. We were a right trio with Alistair!' The group shared everything, from stories to sweets. 'I'm the old granny of the team,' Phyllis jokes.
