New Age Returning Cast and New Characters Guide

The cast of Downton Abbey: a new era is, as fans expected, also identical to that of Downton Abbey 2019, with one notable exception. However, the Crawley family and their servants are also welcoming some new visitors to their grand home in Yorkshire, UK, meaning there are some new faces on screen too. In Downton Abbey: a new eraThe Crawleys travel to the south of France after Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith), reveals that an old flame left her a seaside villa in his will. Meanwhile, a film production arrives to make a film at Downton Abbey, which creates excitement for the servants and chaos for Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery).

Downton Abbey: a new era also features the marriage of Tom Branson (Allen Leech) to Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) after they were engaged in their previous relationship. Downton Abbey film. The Crawleys' lives change forever as the family enters a new decade to face the challenges of modern life. Notably, the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era skillfully juggles multiple stories with over 30 characters. The only holdout who doesn't appear is Matthew Goode, who plays Lady Mary's husband, Henry Talbot. Otherwise, not just all the main characters in the 2019 film Downton Abbey return, but some familiar faces from the TV series also appear in A New Era.

Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham

Born: December 28, 1934

Actor: Maggie Smith is a screen legend who also starred in the Harry Potter franchise as Professor McGonagall. With a career that spans nearly 70 years, she has been in a wide variety of projects. Notable roles in the recent part of his long career include Marigold's best exotic hotel and ONE Room with View. Smith passed away in 2024.

Notable Functions:

Character: Dame Maggie Smith reprized her role in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era as Downton Abbey Lady Violet clip. A secret from Lady Violet's scandalous past comes to light as the deathly ill Dowager Countess continues. It is revealed that she was given a villa in the south of France by the Marquis de Montmirail. Unfortunately, the mother of the current Marquis wants to contest his ownership. The end of the film shows Violet giving in to her poor health and sadly passing away.

Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham

Born: November 10, 1963

Actor: Hugh Bonneville had a long career on screen before joining the cast of Downton Abbey. Bonneville trained in theater but got his start on screen with television shows in the 1990s. He's no stranger to period pieces thanks to his appearances in many historical detective series and Jane Austen adaptations. He has had recent roles in The gold and Dave's Bankbut also starred Notting Hill, Paddington, and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Notable Functions:

Character: Hugh Bonneville is part of the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era as Robert Crawley. Lord Grantham leads the investigation into why a former lover left his mother, Lady Violet, a villa in southern France. The Marquis surprises Robert when he suggests that the two could be half-brothers because he was born nine months after the Dowager Countess's visit. In the end, Violet assures him that he is Lord Grantham's legitimate son.

Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham

Born: July 18, 1961

Actor: McGovern had one of his first on-screen roles in Robert Redford's Oscar-winning film Ordinary people. She also had roles in Once Upon a Time in America and the film adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale like Moira. Her entertainment interests extend beyond the screen, as she also sings, plays guitar, and acts on stage. His latest project is a comedy film called And Mrs. McGovern is also expected to reprise his role in another Downton Abbey film in 2025.

Notable Functions:

Character: Elizabeth McGovern is part of the cast of Downton Abbey: a new erareprising the role of Cora Crawley. Cora joins Robert on his trip to the south of France. Meanwhile, Lady Grantham has a secret of her own. She was diagnosed with pernicious anemia, which fortunately is treatable. She also helped film actress Myrna Dalgleish develop her American accent, saving her career.

Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot

Born: December 15, 1981

Actor: Although Dockery is best known for her television work, she has also appeared in several big-screen projects and is an accomplished jazz singer. In fact, she has performed in London clubs and at English music festivals. Dockery also stars Good behavior and Netflix Anatomy of a scandal. She had roles in Amphibian and Defending Jacoband will soon star Please don't feed the children here and Boy kills the world.

Notable Functions:

Character: Michelle Dockery plays Mary Talbot in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era. Lady Mary now runs Downton Abbey and is left to oversee the production of the film being filmed at her ancestral home, despite Robert's misgivings about the project. She is propositioned by director Jack Barber, but rejects his advances. She also saves the movie, suggesting that the recoverable images be dubbed.

Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham

Born: July 16, 1986

Actor: Although she has only been acting on screen since 2011, Carmichael is also an accomplished theater actor. In fact, she was preparing to take part in a tour of Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night when she got the role in Downton Abbey series. Carmichael also starred The Spanish princess. She recently played Agatha Fyfle in The secrets she keeps and started in the industry playing Sal in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Henriette in Lady Bovary.

Notable Functions:

Character: Laura Carmichael reprises the role of Edith Pelham in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era. Lady Edith is happily married to Bertie Pelham, the Marquess of Hexam, but longs for her old life as a magazine writer. She spends a good part A New Era feeling embarrassed as a marchioness and in the end she starts working on her magazine again.

Allen Leech as Tom Branson

Born: May 18, 1981

Actor: Allen Leech studied drama and acting while he was at school, as he was interested in acting from a young age. He even studied theater while at college in Dublin when he decided to make a career out of it. In addition to its role in Downton Abbey franchise, he also took on the role of Paul Prenter in Bohemian Rhapsody and John Cairncross for The imitation game. It will soon be seen in Cold meat, you can't run forever, and The Vanishing Triangle.

Notable Functions:

Character: Tom Branson is in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraand he is still played by Allen Leech. Tom got engaged to Lucy Smith in Downton Abbey 2019, meaning the former Irish driver will inherit the Brumpton estate from Lady Maud Bagshaw. The second film shows their wedding and Tom visits Violet's estate in the south of France. In the end, he and Lucy return to Downton Abbey with their son.

Penelope Wilton as Isobel Gray, Baroness Merton

Born: June 3, 1946

Actor: Penelope Wilton is part of the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraand also starred Shaun of the Dead and Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She and Dame Maggie Smith were both in Marigold's best exotic hotel and its sequel together, but Wilton also starred Starting point like Leonor. His most recent credits include Harold Fry's unlikely pilgrimage and the horror movie Visitation. Over the course of her fifty-year career, she has appeared in a wide variety of projects on stage and screen alike.

Notable Functions:

​​​​​​​Character: Cousin Isobel started out married to Robert Crawley's cousin in the series and starred alongside Lady Violet. Over time, their friendship grew, she lost her husband and appears as a great friend of Lady Violet throughout the franchise. In this sequel, she is now Baroness Merton and remains alongside her best friend, Lady Violet. She remains with her friend until Violet's death.

Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson

Born February 21, 1987

Actor: Lucy Branson returns to Downton Abbey: a new eraand she is played in the cast of Tuppence Middleton. Middleton is also a writer and started out professionally in short films before transitioning to TV and film. In 2010, the London Night Pattern named her as one of the most promising newcomers of the year. Tuppence Middleton has had previous roles in Jupiter Ascending, MI-5, and Possessor. She voiced Father Gomez's daemon in Your dark materials and appeared in the live theater project The reason and the suggestion.

Notable Functions:

​​​​​​​Character: Lucy was revealed to be the daughter of Lady Maud Bagshaw in Downton Abbey 2019, and she marries Tom Branson in A New Era. She accompanies Tom, Maud, Robert, Cora, Edith and Bertie to the Marquess's estate in France before returning to Downton Abbey at the end of the film.

Imelda Staunton as Lady Maud Bagshaw

Born January 9, 1956

Actor: Like many actors working in the UK, Imelda Staunton has performed on stage and screen throughout her career, including for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Imelda Staunton is probably most famous today for playing the evil Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She also played the role of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix film The crown and plays Mrs. Umney in The Canterville Ghost and voices Bunty in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.

Notable Functions:

​​​​​​​Character: The incomparable Imelda Staunton joins the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era like Maud Bagshaw. Lady Maud's feud with Lady Violet is over, and she is back in the family when her daughter Lucy marries Tom Branson. She goes to France to see Violet's villa, currently inhabited by the Marquis.

Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert “Bertie” Pelham, Marquess of Hexham

Born April 10, 1981

Actor: Harry Hadden-Paton has had a wide variety of roles in his time as a professional. In addition to stage and screen roles, he has also done a lot of voice acting work for video games. He is also an accomplished writer and director, having worked on several short films. rHadden-Paton has had roles in La Vie En Rose and It's about time. He appeared as Martin Charteris in The crown and voices JARVIS in Marvel's Avengers video game. After having a small role The black listhe also stars Twisted.

Notable Functions:

​​​​​​​Character: Bertie is the Marquess of Hexam and Edith's loving husband, and is played by Harry Hadden-Paton in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era. Edith also gave birth to his son, while Bertie is the stepfather of Edith's daughter Marigold. He assists Violet in acquiring the villa and visits the house with the rest of the group during the events of the film.

Samantha Bond as Lady Rosamund Painswick

Born: November 27, 1961

Actor: Samantha Bond is a veteran of stage and screen, having appeared on television, the big screen, Broadway and the West End. She got her start on screen playing Maria in Mansfield Park before moving on to Miss Marple: a murder is announcedsome British TV staples. Bond also appeared as Miss Moneypenny in Pierce Brosnan's James Bond films. Bond played Isadora in The stranger in our bed and Catherine in Persecuted. She has also lent her voice to modern-day podcast series, delving into a new form of entertainment.

Notable Functions:

​​​​​​​Character: Lady Rosamund is the eldest daughter of Lady Violet and sister of Lord Grantham. She appeared in the main TV series, but not in the previous film. She is back in the cast of Downton Abbey: A New Era after losing Downton Abbey 2019.

Douglas Reith as Richard “Dickie” Grey, Baron Merton

Born: 1953

Actor: Reith is known for playing Lord Airlie in the Helen Mirren film The queen, but has had roles on the small screen since 1978. He portrayed Howard in Velvet International and Chamberlain in The Prince and the Beggar miniseries. He had a brief stint Outlander as Professor Brown and The crown as Admiral Leach. His latest credit sees him playing the Dean in Professor T.. He should return for more Downton Abbey in the future.

Notable Functions:

​​​​​​​Character: Although he does not play the main role in the film's plot, Dickie Gray played by Douglas Reith returns to the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era, and is the loving husband of Isobel and godfather of Lady Mary.

Oliver and Zac Barker as Master George Matthew Crawley

Born in 2010

Actor: In the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraGeorge is played by two actors, Oliver and Zac Barker, who are technically part of a set of triplets. Their sister is Sister Megan who does not share acting roles with them. Previously, the boys stopped portraying young Arthur in King Arthur: Legend of the Swordwith the Downton Abbey franchise being his only other credits. With much of their childhood playing George, they will have to see if acting is something they continue to share an interest in in the future.

Character: George is Mary's son with the late Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens). As Robert's heir, George is the future Earl of Grantham and will one day inherit Downton Abbey.

Eva and Karina Samms as Miss Marigold

Date of birth unknown

Actor: In the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraMarigold is played by twins Eva and Karina Samms, and to this day the Downton Abbey the franchise is the only credit to the names of the young stars.

Character: Marigold is Edith's illegitimate daughter by the late Michael Gregson (Charles Gregson) and stepdaughter of Bertie Pelham.

Fifi Hart as Miss Sybil “Sybbie” Branson

Born: November 25, 2009

Actor: In the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraSybbie is played by Fifi Hart. The young actress started out going with her older sister to acting auditions. One of her first solo auditions was actually for Downton Abbey. Outside the Downton Abbey series, Hart played Susan in the TV movie The story of the 2 of Harry and Paulbut still has no other acting credits.

​​​​​​​Character: Sybbie is the daughter of Tom Branson and the late Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay). Sybbie is the oldest of the Crawley children. In the film, Violet seeks to leave the French villa to Sybbie when she dies, to make sure she has social and financial equality with her other cousins.

Downton Abbey: the return of the servants of a new era

The team returns from the film and previous shows

Jim Carter as Charles Carson – Carson is the longtime butler of Downton Abbey and husband of Elsie Carson, the former Mrs. He was asked by Mary to return temporarily to train Andy as her successor. Carter also starred The good liar and Transformers: The Last Knightand voiced King in The Sea Beastone of Netflix's most-watched films of all time.

Phyllis Logan as Elsie Carson – Elsie is the housekeeper from Downton Abbey in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraand she is responsible for all the employees, while also taking care of her husband, Mr. Carson. She recently appeared in Blame but also had roles in Secrets and Lies and Another time, another place.

Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow – Barrow is the butler at Downton, who is also a closeted gay man who wants to live more openly. Barrow befriended Richard Ellis (Max Brown), the king's servant who is also gay, in Downton Abbey 2019. In A New EraHe and Dexter fall in love and Barrow agrees to manage his Los Angeles household and act as a traveling companion so they can be together. James-Collier stars as Liam Connor in Coronation Street and recently played Saul Silva in Destiny: The Winx Saga.

Brendan Coyle as John Bates – Bates is the valet and old friend of Lord Grantham in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era. He is the devoted husband of Anna Bates and father of her son, John. Coyle had roles in Me before you, Lark Rise to Candleford, and Riches.

Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates – Anna is the maid and head of Mary's house. Always the voice of reason, Anna is happily married to Mr. Bates and mother to his son, John. She helps persuade Dalgleish to continue the film after leaving. Froggatt has appeared in A streetcar named Bob, Dark Angel, and North Coast.

Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore – Mrs. Patmore is the head cook of Downton Abbey, Daisy's mentor, and she also runs her own bed and breakfast establishment. Actress Lesley Nicol also had roles in East is East, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe miniseries, and voiced Professor Matilda Weasley in Hogwarts Legacy video game.

Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker – Downton's witty and headstrong cook, Daisy married Andy Parker, the footman. She and Anna in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era help convince Dalgleish to finish the film being filmed there. Sophie McShera played Drisella in Cinderella and also had roles in The Gallows Pole, The Queen's Gambit, and Murdoch Mysteries.

Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley – Mr. Molesley was a footman on Downton Abbey who became a teacher, and he also likes Mrs. Baxter. He received a lucrative screenwriting offer from Barber Doyle has appeared in Vera, Sherwood, and The wizard.

Michael C. Fox as Andrew “Andy” Parker – Andy is the footman from Downton Abbey and also Daisy's husband. He is being trained by Carson to take on the role of family butler. Fox previously had a role in Dunkirk and will soon be seen in The world will shake and Prisoners of Freedom.

Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter – Mrs. Baxter is the maid to Cora, Countess of Grantham, in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era and she is romantically interested in Mr. Molesley. However, Barber proposes to her and this is heard. Cassidy also appeared in The worst witch, teachers, and Official Secrets.

Sue Johnston as Miss Denker – Denker is Lady Violet's troubled maid, who is nevertheless loyal to the Dowager Countess. She is present at Lady Violet's death. In addition to being in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraJohnston appears in Waking the Dead, The Royle Family, and Imagine me and you.

David Robb as Dr. Dr. Clarkson is the trusted local doctor and has been part Downton Abbey since the TV series. He diagnoses Cora with pernicious anemia in A New Era. David Robb also had roles in Grenfell: Scenes from the Inquiry, Ivanhoe, and I, Claudio.

New characters in Downton Abbey: A new era

Five new actors join the cast

Hugh Dancy as Jack Barber Hugh Dancy joins the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era like the smarmy Jack Barber. Barber is a director from the production company British Lion who comes to Downton Abbey to film his next film and consistently flirts with Lady Mary, although he proposes to Miss Mary. Baxter. Dancy starred Ella Enchanted and Hannibal.

Laura Haddock as Myrna Dalgleish – Myrna is a famous actress who stars in Barber's new film and is fawned over by the Downton Abbey team. It is discovered that her Cockney accent is unsuitable for her high-class film character and Cora helps her develop an American accent to save her career. Haddock played Peter Quill's mother in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and starred Transformers: The Last Knight.

Dominic West as Guy Dexter Dexter in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new era is a beautiful movie star who also has a secret. He falls in love with Thomas Barrow and hires him to manage his household so they can be together. West is best known for starring The Thread, and he plays Prince Charles in season 5 of The crown.

Nathalie Baye as Madame Montmirail – The wife of the late Marquis, who bequeathed a villa to Lady Violet, is understandably upset when the Crawleys come to France and tries to ensure that Lady Violet does not receive the property. Baye is a legendary French actress who appeared in Catch me if you can and Don't tell anyone.

Jonathan Zaccaï as Marquis de Montimirail – The son and executor of the late Marquis's will in the cast of Downton Abbey: a new eraMonsieur de Montmirail welcomes the Crawleys to France with open arms. Zaccai has appeared in several French films as well as Ridley Scott's film. Robin Hood.