‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 notes: Michelle Dockery, Sophie McShera, Tom Cullen

For this edition of “Downton Abbey” notes, we’re looking at really what is the benefit of being on this show versus some other series. Thanks to the show only filming eight episodes a season plus a Christmas special, there is enough time to take on a variety of other projects throughout the year. This is exactly what some of the actors that we are about to talk about have done, even if many of them are hard at work right now on season 4.

Michelle Dockery – We’ll start with the Emmy-nominated face behind Lady Mary, who, according to the Daily Mail, is being considered for a film adaptation of the novel “The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society” from Simon Curtis. She would be playing the role of Juliet Ashton, a writer who receives a variety of letters and stories from people who were going through different aspects of the World War II experience. This role was originally set for Kate Winslet when Kenneth Branagh was directing the project, and if Dockery accepts the role, she would shoot it later this year after production wraps on “Downton Abbey” season 4.

Sophie McShera – In addition to playing Daisy on the historical drama, McShera is also a part of an ITV drama known as “The Job Lot.” In a new interview with the Radio Times, she took a moment to explain what was one of the worst jobs that she has ever had: “My worst job was working in a factory in Bradford packing and picking packaging. I had such awful paper cuts, I could barely wash my hands. We worked 12 hour days and it was mind-numbing.”

Tom Cullen – While not all “Downton Abbey” fans may be familiar with Cullen’s name right now, they will be soon. Why? The actor is filming his role as Lord Anthony Gillingham on season 4 right now, and he may be a significant part of Mary’s romantic future. Of course, Tom also has a film career, and he recently announced on his Twitter page that his upcoming film “Last Days on Mars” will be premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

If you want to read the latest “Downton Abbey” notes pertaining to Allen Leech and Dan Stevens, be sure to head on over to the link here.

Photo: ITV