Downton Abbey has been embraced by critics and viewers around the world. It’s the story of an aristocratic family living in a large house with their servants, dealing with both world and personal affairs. As society changes, everyone must learn to deal with their lives in a new manner.
Highclere Castle in Downton Abbey
Highclere Castle is used for the setting of the series. According to the newsletter sent out by Shirley MacLaine to her supporters, “The Highclere Castle of today was achieved through several iterations, most of them overseen by the Carnarvon family, who have lived there since 1679. The original Elizabethan house was built on the site of a medieval palace and later rebuilt as a classical Georgian house. But it was the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon who, in 1839, created the Highclere Castle of today. He commissioned the architect of the Houses of Parliament, Charles Barry, to replace the Georgian house with a castle built in the high-Elizabethan style, which incorporated Gothic elements in a nod to English medieval great halls. The Renaissance revival style was inspired by the energy and innovation ushered in by the young, new Queen Victoria.”
As depicted in the television series, the castle was used as a hospital during World War I. Several years later, during World War II more than a hundred children called the castle home to escape the London Blitz.
Shirley MacLaine
Veteran actress Shirley MacLaine will join the cast of Downton Abbey as Lady Grantham’s mother Martha Levinson. Lady Grantham is played by Elizabeth McGovern. Lady Grantham is an American who married Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville).
MacLaine’s acting career has earned her an Academy Award for Terms of Endearment, and five other Academy Award nominations (The Turning Point - 1978, The Other Half of the Sky: A China Memoir - 1976, Irma la Douce - 1964, The Apartment -1961, and Some Came Running - 1959), six Emmy Awards nominations (Coco Chanel – 2005, Shirley MacLaine: Every Little Movement – 1980, Shirley MacLaine at the Lido – 1979, The Shirley MacLaine Special: Where Do We Go from Here – 1977, Gypsy in My Soul – 1976, and Shirley MacLaine: If They Could See Me Now – 1975), and seven Golden Globe Awards (Most Promising Newcomer, Female – 1955, a special award for Most Versatile Actress - 1959, The Apartment – 1961, Irma la Douce – 1964, Terms of Endearment – 1984, Madame Sousazka -1989, and The Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. She also received 14 other Golden Globe Nominations.
Besides her acting career, MacLaine is a best-selling author.
Downton Abbey – The Series
Downton Abbey first premiered in the U.K. on ITV and on MASTERPIECE on PBS in the United States in 2010. The series earned six Emmys, a Golden Globe, and a Producers Guild Award. At this time there is no premier date set for the third season.
Quote Source:
Shirley MacLaine Newsletter
