Once Upon A Time star, Josh Dallas, has admitted that he is a huge fan of Downton Abbey, and has even invented a part he could play on the show.

According to the star, who is due to return to UK screens tomorrow for a new series of Once Upon A Time, he thinks he could star in an American version of the hit ITV period drama, or failing that he could join the UK cast as an American nephew of Shirley MacLaine.
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With all the recent chopping and changing of the Downton Abbey cast list, it has now been revealed that one face from last year who wasn’t expected to be returning, Shirley MacLaine, is set to reprise her role as Martha Levinson!

We reported last month how show bosses had expressed a desire for Hollywood actress MacLaine, who plays the modern-world embracing mother of Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) to make a return in series 4 of the hit ITV period drama, but that her busy schedule probably meant that was unlikely.
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After a phenomenal reception from her series 3 debut, Hollywood legend, Shirley MacLaine may not be making a Downton Abbey return in series 4, as show bosses says that she is too busy!

Shirley burst on to our screens in series 3 as Martha Levinson, the head-strong American mother of Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), and instantly struck a chord with viewers on both sides of the pond.
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Oscar winning actress, Shirley MacLaine has revealed that she believes the estate where Downton Abbey is filmed, Highclere Castle, is haunted!

Shirley, who made her Downton debut last series playing the modernised mother of Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), Martha Levinson, believes that the spirits behind the hauntings come from a curse placed on the castle by Egyptian pharaoh King Tutankhamun.
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Twilight actress, Anna Kendrick, has expressed an interest in starring in the hit ITV1 period drama, Downton Abbey!

Kendrick, who played Bella’s friend Jessica Stanley in the phenomenon Twilight series, has revealed that she “dreams” of starring in the epic British drama which has become almost as big in the US as it has here in the UK!
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As fans of Downton Abbey star Jim Carter – who plays stuffy butler Carson – may know, he’s married to actress Imelda Staunton, who it seems was unimpressed when Jim flirted on the set of Downton with legendary US actress, Shirley MacLaine.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror about the forthcoming new series of Downton, which of course debuts this Sunday on ITV, Jim revealed that he’s had a lifelong crush on Shirley, who plays the role of feisty American Martha Levinson.

He said, “I had a big crush on Shirley. What a babe! She was a cracking dame.

“And yeah, we flirted, I loved her. She would sit around and natter – she had no status or anything like that, she was completely open.

“Who else can tell stories about Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra? My wife was as jealous as old boots.” Read more & comment »

While the entire nation waits on the edge of their seats for the start of the new series of  Downton Abbey, it would seem that the iconic ITV period drama has a new fan, Hollywood actress, Shirley MacLaine.

MacLaine, who has starred alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, is set to appear on our screens when the new series starts next month as Martha Levinson, the American mother of Lady Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham.
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Whoop with joy Downton Abbey fans for ITV have released two brand new pictures from the new series, and in addition, Rob James Collier – who plays footman Thomas – has revealed that when Shirley MacLaine turned up for her first day on set, she took him completely by surprise by being overjoyed to meet him.

But first, of the pictures, regrettably there are – as mentioned – only two, one of which is above and the second is after the jump.

Over now to what Rob – who formerly played the role of Liam Connor in Corrie – had to say of meeting Ms MacLaine, who will play Martha Levinson… Read more & comment »

Downton Abbey newbie Shirley MacLaine is of course a staunch believer in reincarnation, and as such, she recently claimed that in a previous life, she and her Downton co-star Dame Maggie Smith – who plays the Dowager Duchess – had been lovers!

Shirley of course plays the role of Lady Cora’s mother, Martha Levinson, in the show’s third series, and as Martha and the Dowager Duchess clash on-screen within moments of meeting, Shirley and Maggie spent a good deal of time together filming.

TV Biz reports that Shirley — who recently claimed she was a lover of Roman emperor Charlemagne — said of Maggie, “We were lovers in another life. We met 40 years ago backstage at the Oscars.

“I was up for something and there was this big chocolate cake on the catering table. Whatever I was up for, I lost… Read more & comment »

As fans of Downton Abbey will surely know, in the forthcoming third series of the show, acclaimed US actress Shirley MacLaine joined the cast to play the role of Lady Cora’s (Elizabeth McGovern) formidable mother Martha…

And during the recent American Film Institute awards ceremony, Shirley received a Lifetime Achievement gong, which was presented to her by McGovern.

During Elizabeth’s speech, in which she gushed about Shirley’s performances in Downton, a clip was shown of the moment that Shirley’s character met the equally formidable matriarch, the Dowager Duchess, who is of course played by stage and screen veteran, Maggie Smith.

Click ‘Read more’ to see the clip… Read more & comment »

The genius behind ITV sensational hit period drama, Downton Abbey, Nigel Marchant, has revealed that he wants the show to end on a high-note.

The hit drama, which  has found huge success in the US as well and has even been spoofed by Jimmy Fallon on his late night US show, has always had an expiry date attached, with Marchant previously commenting that he would never let it over run with any of his other projects on the period time line.
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Rather oddly – since the stars of a show normally sing its praises – Downton Abbey newcomer Shirley MacLaine has told the Daily Telegraph that although she enjoys watching the show, she doesn’t know why it’s such a huge hit.

Shirley, who will make her Downton debut in the new series later this year as Martha Levinson, the mother of Lady Cora Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern), said, “I’ve been watching the series on TV and I love it.

“But I’m still not quite sure why it is such a big hit.

“Here as well as in the UK. I knew I loved it but I didn’t know all these other people were looking at it.

“I found it very encouraging about the intelligence of the audience, to tell you the truth. Yet I’m asking myself what is it about this show that is proving so irresistible?”

However, Shirley concluded that perhaps watching a drama that’s about opulence and wealth perhaps took everyone’s mind off of the current recession… Read more & comment »

The Sun’s TV Biz today carries a first look picture – above – of US acting legend Shirley MacLaine in her role as Lady Cora Grantham’s mother, who’s arriving from the States in series three of Downton Abbey.

Shirley’s character, Martha Levinson, is seen being brought from the station to Downton, and it seems she’s no sooner arrived than she and the Dowager Duchess – who’s played by another icon, Maggie Smith – lock matriarchal horns.

Brendan Coyle, who plays valet John Bates – whose in prison on suspicion of murdering his toxic ex-wife Vera – said of Shirley’s arrival, “This casting is ingenious. Shirley is very much loved here, her scenes are brilliant and I can assure you she will be a dazzling addition to Downton Abbey.”

Meanwhile, Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, has denied that there are any plans to film a movie version of the hit ITV drama… Read more & comment »

Downton Abbey stars Elizabeth McGovern and Jessica Brown-Findlay, who play the roles of Lady Cora Crawley and Lady Sybil Crawley respectively, have both revealed that they can’t wait to film scenes with US acting legend, Shirley Maclaine.

As we reported a while ago, Shirley joins the cast for the third series, and is expected to play the role of one of Lady Cora’s American relatives.

However, while speaking to the press at the recent London Evening Standard British Film Awards 2012, Elizabeth also remarked that she hopes Downton doesn’t run on past its “sell-by date.”

Of that, she said, “I don’t think Downton can run for forever and I would hate to see it running past its sell-by date.

“I think the intention is to keep it going for as long as we feel that it’s really good and giving the audience what they deserve… Read more & comment »

ITV have tonight announced that award winning actress Shirley MacLaine will join the cast of Downton Abbey when they begin filming on series three next month. Shirley will be playing new character Martha Levinson, Lady Grantham’s mother.

Shirley MacLaine’s illustrious career comprises more than 50 feature films highlighted by an Academy Award® win and six nominations, six Emmy® Awards nominations and seven Golden Globe® Awards, including the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. She is also an international best-selling author for her 2008 book, “Sage-Ing While Age-Ing” followed by her latest New York Times best-seller, “I’m Over All That – And Other Confessions,” released on April 5th, 2011.

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