In just a couple of weeks, the Downton Abbey movie hits cinemas and now a new clip has been released. The scene sees Maggie Smith’s Dowager clashing with new cast member Imelda Staunton – the real-life wife of Carson star Jim Carter – who plays Lady Maud Bagshaw. The two legendary actresses famously shared another feud between different characters in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Smith played Professor McGonagall opposite Staunton’s Dolores Umbridge. By the looks of it, Lady Maud will be accompanying King George V and Queen Mary on their visit to Downton Abbey – the main thrust of the 1927-set movie.
The frosty clip also introduced Tuppence Middleton’s Lucy Smith, who plays Lady Maud’s maid.
From Downton Abbey’s trailer, it looks like she and Allen Leech’s Tom Branson will be sparking a romance.
But while much of the main cast of the award-winning TV series are returning there’s no sign of Lily James’ Rose.
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes blamed her rising star in Hollywood, previously saying: “It would’ve been incredibly difficult for her to find time in her schedule to come and play essentially a supporting role in Downton when her career was in a different place when she was with us.”
Meanwhile, Fellowes is now working on a new period TV drama called The Gilded Age.
The show is set during the boom years of 1880s New York.
Perhaps a young Violet Crawley will crossover into The Gilded Age?
Downton Abbey is released in UK cinemas on September 13, 2019.
