Downton Abbey Christmas Special airs this St. Stephen?s Day on TV3.

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Wednesday 24th December, 2014

 

Downton Abbey Christmas Special airs this St. Stephen’s Day on TV3.

 

The episode will feature returning stars along with some new special guests including Alun Armstrong and Jane Lapotaire.

 

The Crawley family has been invited to a shooting party but a scandalous secret threatens to undermine the holiday. 

 

As Anna faces an uncertain future behind bars, Bates takes drastic measures in a bid to clear her name.

 

The two-hour long ‘Downton Abbey Christmas Special’ will air this St. Stephen’s Day (26th December) on TV3.

 

***PLEASE ENSURE TO CREDIT TV3***

 

The highly anticipated Downton Abbey Christmas Special rejoins the family in the early autumn of 1924. The two hour episode will be shown this St. Stephen’s Day on TV3. Joining the cast as a guest star is Alun Armstrong (New Tricks, Braveheart, Sleepy Hollow). Alun will play Stowell, the Sinderbys’ butler. Also joining is BAFTA Award nominee, Jane Lapotaire (Blind Justice, Shooting Fish, There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble) who will play the much talked about Princess Irina, wife of Prince Kuragin (Rade Sherbedgia).

 

It's grouse shooting season and Rose’s father-in-law, Lord Sinderby, has rented out Brancaster Castle in Northumberland and invited the Crawley family to a shooting party. While good sport is enjoyed, Stowell (Armstrong) has an axe to grind and a scandalous secret threatens to undermine the holiday.  Surprises are in store as the families become better acquainted with each other and some new faces arrive on the scene.

 

Meanwhile the servants hold the fort back at Downton. As Anna faces an uncertain future behind bars, Bates takes drastic measures in a bid to clear her name. Baxter and Molesley are busy on a joint plan and Carson and Mrs Hughes consider a business venture.

 

Alnwick Castle, in Northumberland, was used as the location for Brancaster Castle. Production spent two weeks in Northumberland and filmed in the spectacular interior rooms as well as the incredible Hulne Abbey and shooting on the estate.

 

The episode will feature returning stars Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Lily James, Allen Leech, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Robert James-Collier, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, Sue Johnston, Jeremy Swift, Douglas Reith, Fifi Hart and Zac and Oliver Barker.

 

Making a return to Downton Abbey are James Faulkner and Penny Downie as Lord and Lady Sinderby, along with their son and Lady Rose’s husband Matt Barber as Atticus Aldridge. Rade Sherbedgia will also reprise his role as Prince Kuragin and Michael Fox will play footman Andy.

 

The two-hour long ‘Downton Abbey Christmas Special’ will air this St. Stephen’s Day (26th December) on TV3.

 

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ENDS

 

For further information
Ciara Byrne – Press Officer – 01 419 3329/087 319 9732

Jean O’Donovan – Press & Publicity Assistant – 01 419 3428

Sharon McHugh – Head of Press & Publicity – 087 922 4143

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