Characters

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  Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

  Maggie Smith

  Robert’s mother is immensely proud and loyal to her son and insufferable to her daughter-in-law. She was born the daughter of a baronet but had virtually no money. When the cross-breed heir arrives, with his middle class mother, she finds the situation intolerable, even if she, like Cora, sees one solution in Matthew marrying Mary.

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  Robert, Earl of Grantham

  Hugh Bonneville

  The Earl of Grantham has lived an uncomplicated life until now. He married his wife, Cora, an American heiress, in 1889, largely for her money and although there is no denying her cash put the estate back on its feet, over time they have grown to love one another deeply.  Although without an heir to the estate he worries about his daughters uncertain future.

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  Cora, Countess of Grantham

  Elizabeth McGovern

  Cora is the beautiful daughter of a dry goods multi-millionaire. She arrived in England, at the age of 20, and was engaged to Robert by the end of her first season. At the insistence of her father-in-law she accepted a clause tying her money to the estate, assuming she would have a boy who would become heir. Now, she feels that her money is going to a complete stranger.

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  Lady Mary Crawley

  Michelle Dockery

  Clever and good-looking, Mary assumed that with the death of her cousins she would inherit the estate. The realisation of a new heir infuriates her, particularly when she learns that her father refuses to fight for her rights.

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  Lady Edith Crawley

  Laura Carmichael

  Edith resents Mary. She is less good looking and less sought after, but no less ambitious. Their rivalry is fuelled by the fact that she genuinely loved the dead heir, Patrick, but no one took her feelings seriously. Soon she will be curious about the new heir, and will eventually attempt to use him to be revenged on Mary.

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  Lady Sybil Crawley

  Jessica Brown Findlay

  Sybil is the family rebel. She is fiercely political, devoted to the cause of votes for women, and generally angered by injustice everywhere. She is detached from most of the family quarrels about inheritance, as she doesn’t care about it.

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  Matthew Crawley

  Dan Stevens

  Matthew is a third cousin, once removed, of Lord Grantham. Matthew is qualified as a solicitor and practices in Manchester. Now, he finds himself heir to an earldom and a large estate and he is invited to move there and to become part of the local community.

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  Mr Carson

  Jim Carter

  The butler. Carson is in charge of the dining room and has worked at Downton since he was a boy. He constantly sides with Lady Mary, whom he genuinely loves as a surrogate daughter, against her interloping cousin.

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  Mrs Hughes

  Phyllis Logan

  The housekeeper, Mrs Hughes is responsible for the house and its appearance.  She is unsentimental but moral and decent. She is a kind woman but she feels her strength is derived from the fear she inspires.

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  Mrs Patmore

  Phyllis Logan

  The housekeeper, Mrs Hughes is responsible for the house and its appearance.  She is unsentimental but moral and decent. She is a kind woman but she feels her strength is derived from the fear she inspires.

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  John Bates

  Brendan Coyle

  The valet. John Bates dresses his master and accompanies him on every journey. An exsoldier, John Bates was Robert’s batman during the Boer War. After a war injury left him with a limp he is fiercely loyal to Robert for giving him another chance.

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  O’Brien

  Siobhan Finneran

  The lady’s maid. O’Brien’s responsibilities are to Lady Grantham. O’Brien is a watchful, vengeful, malign spinster. She has sacrificed all thoughts of family and hearth to advance in her profession. She may seem to flatter Lady Grantham but ultimately she will always follow her own interest.

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  Anna

  Joanne Froggatt

  The head housemaid. Anna comes from a background of tenant farming and service. She feels she may have missed her chance at marriage. She is clever and resourceful with a thoroughly sympathetic character, appreciated by Mary and Edith.

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  Thomas

  Rob James-Collier

  The first footman. Thomas thinks he is a fine fellow and that most of his fellow workers are country bumpkins who know nothing. He is a liar and a petty thief and he is always on the look out for the main chance. He is also gay and knows at least one of the family’s visitors better than might be expected. His natural ally in the house is O’Brien.

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  William

  Thomas Howes

  The second footman. William is a fool and Thomas has no hesitation in using him to do his own work. William is very loyal to his parents. He is their only child and his home was a happy one. But his talent is in caring for horses, not serving in a grand dining room.