Downton Abbey double-acts lift the lid on the hit TV drama

The Sunday Post goes behind the scenes to speak to the fantastic Downton double acts, ahead of the return of the nation’s favourite drama.

Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes

Housekeeper Mrs Hughes’ old-fashioned Scots commonsense keeps downstairs life ticking over. And Paisley-born Phyllis Logan says she knows just where Mrs Hughes gets it from.

“I remember those characters from my grandparents’ generation stern women with a twinkle in their eye,” reveals Phyllis. “When I first went for the interview it was written as a Yorkshire role but I thought she’d really fit being Scots.”

Phyllis says the show’s a hit in her own house. “My son who’s 18 started watching when he was about 15 because all the girls at school tuned in and he wanted to know what they were talking about. He really enjoyed it and it does appeal to all ages.”

Fans want to know if romance will ever develop between Mr Hughes and butler Mr Carson.

“I’d have thought everyone would have been intrigued about the love lives of the ladies upstairs but they get into a state about us,” smiles Jim Carter.

Carson’s stately manner has won a legion of fans. So, what about the female attention?

“Oh, for goodness sake, I’m an elderly gentleman with a long and stable marriage,” he chides gently.

The new series is set in 1924 with the arrival of Britain’s first Labour Prime Minister having set-in-his-ways Carson fearing for the future.

“He isn’t exactly a social revolutionary,” admits Jim, 66. “He knows his place and he’s happy in it.”

One of Britain’s most recognisable actors, Jim concedes the lure of Downton is irresistible.

“This is the first time in 40-odd years of acting I’ve done a series. I like to move on and do new things so it’s strange doing something for five years.”

Earl and Countess Grantham

Being the head of the Crawley household has led to Hugh Bonneville rubbing shoulders with George Clooney. He’s now in Madame Tussaud’s next to the Hollywood legend.

“It’s a very strange thing to see yourself there,” admits Hugh, 50, before adding with a laugh. “But the great thing is that in a couple of years when all the fuss has died down it can be melted down and used for someone important.”

The fuss means that everyday life has changed for Hugh but, along with the rest of the cast, it at least means charities have benefited massively.

The stars charge for selfies with the cash going to good causes.

“We’re in a day and age where everybody thinks it’s fine to stick a camera in your face,” says Hugh, Robert, Earl of Grantham. “As a team we’ve raised millions from the selfies.”

Despite it all Hugh, who’s in the white-hot heat of the opening episode fire drama, says he’s in no hurry to leave.

“Everyone in the show is expendable but I’ll keep putting on bow ties as long as they want me to.”

Butler Carson would have had a fit seeing the Countess of Grantham’s latest visit to the grand house.

Elizabeth McGovern is also a rock chick fronting band Sadie and the Hotheads and they recently played at the filming location Highclere Caste.

“It was amazing bringing the two worlds together, although I was feeling a bit stressed about it,” confides US star Elizabeth, 53. “At the start of the year we were touring with Mike and the Mechanics, so juggling things isn’t always easy.

“I’ve had to rip off my Lady Grantham wig in the car and change for a gig.”

Anna and Mr Bates

Joanne Froggatt knew the most shocking drama moment of last year was going to send her world crazy. The third episode saw her maid Anna raped by visiting valet Green, played by ex-EastEnder Nigel Harman.

The fact that nothing had been leaked in advance made it even more stunning.

“I fully expected a reaction but not the level of it,” confides Joanne, 34, as we catch up in London. “The cast were all saying, ‘Tonight is the episode’ but I wasn’t on Twitter and my phone was just going mad. It was really the next day I realised the scale of it.”

And Brendan Coyle, who plays screen husband John Bates, is quick to jump in to the show’s defence.

“We’re a post-watershed drama and I don’t see why it’s contentious that we should embrace this dark stuff. It was meticulously researched by Joanne, whose performance was magnificent.”

That performance led to Joanna getting an Emmy nomination for Best Actress, one of the 12 for the series. And it struck a real chord with victims.

“Filming something like that has a real responsibility and I had to make it as believable as possible,” she says quietly. “I was very honoured to get letters from women who had been though similar experiences.”

With Bates already having been behind bars after his ex-wife’s death and Green having now perished, Brendan admits everyone wants to know if Bates is the killer.

“The fact this man has been murdered or died accidentally is more than a coincidence,” teases Brendan with a smile.