By Wonderwall.com Editors
5:40am PDT, Sep 16, 2019
"Downton Abbey" is back and we could not be more excited! The acclaimed PBS series returns — this time on the big screen — on Sept. 20, 2019. In celebration of the release of the "Downtown Abbey" movie, Wonderwall.com is taking a look at the cast to find out what's new. Keep reading to find out how the actors' lives have changed since the show debuted in 2010…
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Michelle Dockery has continued to impress critics with her work since she made her debut on the TV version of "Downton Abbey." She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and three consecutive Emmys for her work on the ITV/PBS series. Michelle also found success in film, starring movies like "Hanna," "Anna Karenina" and "Non-Stop." She more recently starred in "Good Behavior," "Godless" — for which she earned an Emmy nomination for best lead actress in a limited series or movie — and "Tuca & Bertie." Next up, she'll appear in the Apple TV+ miniseries "Defending Jacob" and 2020's "The Gentleman." Michelle has not been publicly linked to any other men since the 2015 death of her fiancé, Irish public relations exec John Dineen, from cancer. The couple were introduced by her "Downton" co-star Allen Leech in 2013.
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Hugh Bonneville stars in the "Downton Abbey" movie as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham and Mary and Edith's father.
Hugh Bonneville has continued to expand his resume since his days on the "Downton Abbey" TV series, which concluded in 2016. He appeared in 2014's "Paddington" and its 2017 sequel, "Paddington 2," as well as "The Hotel," "Hippie Hippie Shake," "Sofia the First" and "Great Performances." Next up, he'll appear in 2020's "Jingle Jangle" for Netflix and the drama "The Rock Pile." Hugh shares one son with his wife of more than two decades, Lucinda "Lulu" Evans.
Maggie Smith stars as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham and Robert's mother, in the "Downton Abbey" movie.
Maggie Smith was already one of Hollywood's most accomplished actresses before she landed the role of the prickly dowager countess on PBS's "Downton Abbey," and that success continues to this day. The two-time Academy Award winner won three Emmys and her third Golden Globe for her performance on the series. After taking a few years off, Maggie returned to acting in 2018 with a role in "Sherlock Gnomes." Fans will next catch the dame in 2020's "A Boy Called Christmas." Maggie has two sons and five grandchildren. Her longtime husband, playwright Beverley Cross, died in 1998.
Elizabeth McGovern stars in the "Downton Abbey" film as Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham, Robert's wife and Mary and Edith's mother.
Elizabeth McGovern is still a success today. The Academy Award nominee (for 1981's "Ragtime") received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her work on TV's "Downton Abbey" and starred in "The Wife," "The Chaperone" and "The Commuter." Next up, she'll appear in a new "War of the Worlds" TV miniseries. Elizabeth shares two daughters with her husband, director Simon Curtis.
Laura Carmichael (left) stars as Edith Pelham (née Crawley), Marchioness of Hexham — the middle child and second daughter of the Earl and Countess of Grantham, in the "Downton Abbey" movie.
Laura Carmichael was fresh out of drama school when she was cast as Lady Edith on the "Downton Abbey" series. She's since become an in-demand actress, appearing in shows and movies like "Marcella," "A United Kingdom" and "The Spanish Princess." The PBS drama not only gave Laura fame — it also gave her love. She's been dating "Downton" co-star Michael Fox (who plays Andy the footman) since 2018.
Matthew Goode plays Henry Talbot, Mary's husband, in the "Downton Abbey" movie.
Matthew Goode was a popular actor before he ever appeared on "Downton Abbey" — he was on seasons 5 and 6 — and his star has only grown brighter since. The English actor has in recent years notably appeared on "The Good Wife" and "The Crown" — for which he earned an Emmy nod — and currently stars on the television series adaptation of the wildly popular book "A Discovery of Witches." He also hosted "The Wine Show" with Matthew Rhys from 2016 to 2018. Next up, he'll star in 2020's "The King's Man" and the historical epic "Medieval." Matthew married longtime love Sophie Dymoke in 2014. They share two daughters and one son.
Harry Hadden-Paton plays Bertie Pelham, the 7th Marquess of Hexham who's Edith's husband, in the "Downton Abbey" movie.
Harry Hadden-Paton has landed roles on some of TV's biggest shows, including on Netflix's "The Crown" as Martin Charteris, the queen's dashing private secretary. He's also starred in "Versailles," "Informer," "The Little Stranger" and the 2018 Broadway production of "My Fair Lady," for which he earned a Tony nomination. He shares two children with his wife, actress Rebecca Night.
Lily James starred on the "Downton Abbey" TV series as Lady Rose Aldridge (née MacClare), a second cousin of the Crawley family and the daughter of Hugh and Susan MacClare (Lord and Lady Flintshire). She did not come back for the "Downton Abbey" movie.
Lily James went on to become a certified movie star, which is part of the reason why she's not returning for the "Downton Abbey" film. The British actress has starred in several critically acclaimed movies in recent years including "Baby Driver," "Darkest Hour," "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" and "Yesterday." Up next, the "Cinderella" actress will star in the romantic thriller "Rebecca." Lily has been dating "The Crown" actor Matt Smith since 2014.
Allen Leech stars as Tom Branson, the Crawleys' former chauffeur who married their youngest daughter, Sybil — who tragically died after childbirth — and now serves as their estate manager, in the "Downton Abbey" film.
Allen Leech has transitioned to a film career since his days appearing on the "Downton Abbey" TV series. The Irish actor has starred in "The Imitation Game," "The Hunter's Prayer" and 2018's Oscar-nominated biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody." Allen married actress Jessica Blair Herman in January 2019. The couple announced in September 2019 that they were expecting their first child.
Jim Carter stars as retired butler Charles Carson, who comes back to help the Crawleys prepare for a visit from the king and queen, in the "Downton Abbey" movie.
Jim Carter earned four Emmy nominations for his work on "Downton Abbey" and has gone on to star in "Knightfall," "King Lear," "Transformers: The Last Knight" and "Swimming with Men." After the "Downton Abbey" movie, Jim next hits the big screen opposite Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen in 2019's "The Good Liar." He shares a daughter with his wife of nearly four decades, actress Imelda Staunton — makes an appearance in the "Downton" film!
Phyllis Logan (right) plays Mrs. Hughes, the head housekeeper of Downton Abbey who's now married to Mr. Carson, the former butler who returns to help, in "Downton Abbey."
Phyllis Logan has starred in a slew of TV shows and films since her "Downtown Abbey" days. The 63-year-old Scottish actress has appeared in "Vera," "Bones," "The Good Karma Hospital," "Girlfriends" and "Dr. Who." Up next, she will star in the "Downtown Abbey" movie and 2020's "Misbehaviour." Phyllis married Kevin McNally, with whom she shares a son, in 2011.
Brendan Coyle stars as John Bates, Lord Grantham's valet, in "Downton Abbey." And Joanne Froggatt stars as Anna Bates, Lady Mary's lady's maid who's John's wife, in the "Downton Abbey" movie.
Much like his "Downton Abbey" co-stars, Brendan Coyle has been flourishing since the series wrapped in 2016. The actor, who earned Emmy and BAFTA nominations for his work on the period drama, has appeared in "Spotless," "Requiem" and the 2018 award season contender "Mary Queen of Scots." Brendan will next star in "The Rising: 1916" with Fiona Shaw, Micheál Richardson (Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson's actor son) and more.
Joanne Froggatt earned three Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win for her work on "Downton Abbey." She's since starred on the TV series "Liar" and the miniseries "Dark Angel." Joanne also voiced Wendy on the animated series "Bob the Builder" until 2018. She married longtime love James Cannon in 2012.
Lesley Nicol plays Beryl Patmore, Downton Abbey's head cook, in the "Downton Abbey" movie. Sophie McShera plays kitchen maid-turned-assistant cook Daisy Mason.
Lesley Nicol has continued to rack up acting credits since "Downton Abbey" wrapped. The three-time SAG Award winner (as part of the "Downton Abbey" series ensemble cast) has appeared in several TV shows and movies including "Ghostbusters," "Summer Camp Island," "Supernatural" and "Beecham House."
Sophie McShera made the jump from the small to the big screen. The actress appeared in "Galavant" and "Inside No. 9" before landing roles in major films like 2015's "Cinderella." Next up, she'll appear in "The Personal History of David Copperfield," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019, and a 2020 episode of "London Kills."
In the "Downton Abbey" film, Rob James-Collier (left) plays Thomas Barrow, the former under-butler with a reputation for creating conflict who's promoted when Carson retires. Michael Fox (right) plays footman Andy Parker.
Rob James-Collier is still a successful working actor. The British star has landed roles in TV shows and movies like "The Level," "Vera," "The Ritual" and "Ackley Bridge." He has a son with longtime partner Lauren Chandiram and a daughter from a previous relationship.
Michael Fox was a relatively unknown actor when he joined the cast of "Downton Abbey" in Season 5. He's since gained quite a bit of professional experience in projects including "Dunkirk," "Endeavor" and "The Ark." He's been dating "Downton" co-star Laura Carmichael since 2018.
Kevin Doyle plays Joseph Molesley, Matthew Crawley's former valet who later works as a footman and teacher, in "Downton Abbey." Raquel Cassidy plays Phyllis Baxter, the Countess of Grantham's lady's maid.
Kevin Doyle has gone on to star on several British television shows including "Happy Valley," "Reg," "Paranoid" and "Death in Paradise." He is married to actress Olwen May.
Since the series ended, Raquel Cassidy has been on shows like "The Worst Witch," "Silent Witness," "W1A" and "White Dragon." She's also dabbled in film, appearing in 2019's "Cliffs of Freedom."
