‘Downton Abbey’ season 5, episode 2 preview: Elizabeth McGovern and Richard E. Grant

Sunday night’s “Downton Abbey” episode (airing in Britain, spoilers ahead for Americans!) is going to contain many big moments for the cast, and that may include some people you’ve yet to even meet.

One of these newcomers is none other than Simon Bricker, an art historian who is played on the show by none other than “Girls” alum Richard E. Grant. In the photo above, you can see him with Cora. While we imagine him being a perfect addition to the Downton elite, his specific role is relatively undefined.

What we do at least know is that Grant is more than excited to take on this role. Speaking about it during a new interview with the Radio Times, he had the following to say about the pressure of this role:

“It was like being summoned to step into the television and join the characters of my favourite programme – crossing the fourth wall, as it were, and becoming part of the story. That’s what it felt like being at Highclere Castle (where the show is filmed).

“Everything is incredibly familiar from having watched Downton Abbey on TV for four years, and yet here I was among them pretending to be a character. It was absolutely surreal.”

Hopefully, this guest appearance will more than merit the hype. The thing that we worry about with this show is that there are constantly guest stars that are hyped up, and then only appear in a single episode or two.

Is there anything in particular you want to see in this episode, especially when it comes to some of these characters? Let us know your thoughts below, and head over here to get some more previews for this episode. For some more updates via email, just be sure to sign up for our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: ITV