‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 notes: Elizabeth McGovern celebrates; singing scoop

We’ll start this edition of “Downton Abbey” notes with what is a bit of a delayed celebration for the ITV series’ multiple Emmy nominations earlier this week. It was hardly a shock to see the show get as much love as it did, but some of the nods in particular for Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, and the show itself were not exactly a lock going into this. (The nomination for Maggie Smith was pretty much a lock, given that she is a living legend.)

While ironically we have not heard much from the actors playing most of these roles, we did have a chance to hear a pretty gracious message from Elizabeth McGovern on some of the love that her co-stars were given by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Just take a look at her post on Twitter:

“Hurray #DowntonAbbey for Emmy noms! @hughbon , Maggie , Jim and Michelle. And #bestdrama!”

Words from a new voice – Now, we turn to something new coming up on the fourth season of “Downton Abbey”. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is going to be taking part in the show this year in a role as (go figure) a singer, and she spoke with the BBC a little bit about it.

You can hear her speak a little bit about her “Downton Abbey” role a little bit more than halfway through the video, as she explains how one of the more “precious” moments for her during her process came when she was asked to just sing to Maggie Smith, and see what sort of reaction she could get out of her. (Thanks to Downton Abbey Addicts for the find.)

Do you want to read some more news related to “Downton Abbey”? Then click here, as you will be able to see what Julian Fellowes had to say on the reaction to Matthew’s death.

Photo: ITV