‘Downton Abbey’ season 4: Hugh Bonneville back after filming with George Clooney
While the entire cast of “Downton Abbey” is understandably bound to secrecy until season 4 premieres on ITV this fall, we are at least hearing some interesting news now that has to do with the world of scheduling. When you have a show with so big a cast, this can be a nightmare, especially when there are people looking to take on as many different projects as possible.
However, what we are hearing now is that the show is certainly as accommodating as possible, and even arranged the schedule of star Hugh Bonneville so he could spend a week filming in a different part of Europe. The actor has a part in the film “The Monuments Men” written and directed by George Clooney, which has been filming in Germany ever since the end of the Academy Awards. In a new post on Twitter, Bonneville’s on-screen wife Elizabeth McGovern confirmed that the actor had just returned to start up “Downton Abbey” work following his time away:
“Welcome back @hughbon ! Lord Grantham returns after his week acting with [George Clooney], [John Goodman] etc. But I only work with the best! X”
April is turning out to be a rather eventful month for Bonneville, who is co-hosting the Olivier Awards in London on the 28th. Meanwhile, he was also recently nominated for a BAFTA Award for his role in “Twenty Twelve.” (Surprisingly, “Downton Abbey” was snubbed from consideration.)
There is no announced premiere date yet for the fourth season of the ITV period drama, but be sure to stay tuned here, as we’ll have more on that and other scoop straight from the show’s cast and crew. If you want to read some more “Downton Abbey” news pertaining to international scheduling and PBS, be sure to visit the story over here.
Photo: ITV
Dr. M
April 15, 2013 @ 9:03 pm
Sorry that Matthew had to die, but filming Season 4 and acting on Broadway must have been difficult to coordinate. NY’s gain is the world’s loss – too bad the play in which Dan Stevens was participating closed in February – too early for some. The saga of the Crawly’s will continue, I’m sure, with a new baby boy and a cousin in the same household. Life can be so cruel with untimely death. I just hope Season 4 does not become too “soapy” with the head of the house also embroiled in a movie job.
Maco
April 26, 2013 @ 5:57 pm
They filmed Season 3 of DA February-July 2012. Dan Stevens was in NY on Broadway November 2012-February 2013. They began filming Season 4 of DA about a week AFTER after he finished “The Heiress” in mid-February 2013. Dan could have done S.4. if he wanted to. There was NO scheduling conflict at all. He didn’t want to. He pretty much hated doing the show-sitting around the dinner table for 10 hours filming, he though Matthew getting out of his wheel chair was idiotic, and he though Matthew was too “good” and boring. Whatever dude!
Danielle Weekes
April 15, 2013 @ 6:21 pm
I am very dissapointed that you are killing off Matthew. I read some where that there would not be afuneral. Please keep him on, even if he is comatosed and is sent to America to receive some treatment that is not in the UK, and him resurface down the road seasons later as a cripple. Please. I can’t envision the show without him.
Maco
April 26, 2013 @ 5:58 pm
Matthew is dead. Dan Stevens told them to put extra blood on his face so people knew he was gone. There will NOT be a funeral. He died in September 1921, and Season 4 begins April 1922. There’s a scene where Violet and Isobel run into each other at the graveyard (Isobel visting Matthew’s grace, Violet visiting Sybil’s grave). I’m glad there is NO funeral. Way too sad.