The sequel film to Downton Abbey – A New Era – literally marks a revolution for the Crawley family estate, which will have to deal with the arrival of a film company that has chosen Downton as the location for a silent film – one of the last. This event generates great uproar among the servants, as well as the family. In view of the movie premiere, Laura Carmichael and Harry Hadden-Paton teased us what to expect from the characters of Lady Edith and Lord Bertie Hexam in Downton Abbey – A New Era!

Where do we find Lady Edith and Bertie at the beginning of Downton Abbey – A New Era?

LAURA CARMICHAEL We are nine months after the end of the first film and Edith has had her baby, Peter. We find her, along with the rest of the family and servants, at Tom and Lucy’s wedding. Hollywood arrives at Downton Abbey in the form of a silent film, which amuses Edith greatly. She is also excited about the opportunity to travel to France with her parents to unravel the mystery of the mansion left to her grandmother in a will, and the trip also piques her interest in writing an article about the new trend of English aristocracy holidaying in the south of France during the summer months. Being the wife of an aristocrat is not enough for Edith who wants to return to her world of journalism. Being in France together gives the audience the opportunity to see how much Bertie supports Edith’s work and ambitions.  

HARRY HADDEN-PATON: Bertie is much more sorted out and has a person looking after his Brancaster estate which is much bigger than Downton.

What does bring the family to the South of France and what do they discover when they arrive?

As the actors explain, during the course of the film it is unexpectedly discovered that Violet has been left a property in the south of France, ‘a splendid villa on the coast’, adds Laura Carmichael. The countess mother wants to leave the property to Sybbie so that her great-granddaughter will have her own inheritance.

LC: Edith and Bertie invite themselves to a meeting with the current owners. Edith plans to combine the visit with work and write an article on the Côte d’Azur and is now also very handy with a camera. Tom and Lucy, and indeed the whole family, are very curious as to why the late Marquis chose to leave the estate to Violet who, in turn, says she has no idea.

HHP: Bertie goes to France with Edith and the family to try to unravel the mystery of the inheritance left to Violet. Edith has decided to go back to work and the van family to the south of France at a time when it has become popular to spend the summer holidays there. She is writing an article for her magazine about the French Riviera and has a camera in tow. We see Bertie and Edith much more relaxed than we have ever seen them; they play tennis and spend time together.

How was the experience of working with two of the most famous actors in France? 

It was great to work with Nathalie Baye who I loved in Call my agent (Dix pour cent), which was a big hit everywhere. I know Jonathan Zaccaï from his work on The Bureau which is a brilliant television product. I have a diploma in French so I was able to practice the language with the French crew who were very welcoming.

Harry Hadden-Paton

How does the arrival of the film in Downtown affect the family and staff?

It brings a touch of glamour to Downton with all the lights, cameras and gorgeous film stars taking over the house with their costumes and new technology. It’s slightly dazing for the servants and family for different reasons. The exciting part is that you see these characters you’ve known for a decade and you love to react in their own way to this extraordinary situation they find themselves in.  

Harry Hadden-Paton

What was it like working with Simon Curtis after knowing him for so long as part of Downton’s extended family?

As the actress who plays Lady Edith points out, Simon Curtis understands Downton Abbey in a way that not many directors who come to it from nowhere would.

“He really is a director of actors; he’s very sensitive and for that we were all very grateful. Simon’s been part of the Downton experience for a very long time and he’s shared it with us, so it’s been wonderful to have someone with all this knowledge come with us on this film.”

Laura Carmichael

How do you think Julian enhanced this film compared to the first one?  

According to Laura Carmichael, The funny thing about the film is that you have a very short time to revisit these characters, so the world of the Crawleys and the staff comes to the audience with a different energy.

“In my opinion the world of the making of the film in the story is even more exciting than the family because it’s such a big departure from the usual, from the norm of Downton. It’s great to see these new characters framing the family and the servants and showing how out of touch the world of the aristocracy is. Obviously there is so much of what viewers love about Downton in their favourite characters and the house. I hope it’s a real treat for the audience who so richly deserve it after this horrible time we’ve all been through.”

Laura Carmichael

The film is full of the many things that fans love about Downton Abbey. And it adds to these the glamour and celebrity of Hollywood and the French Riviera, Harry Hadden-Paton points out.

“What could be better? There will also be lots of unexpected thrilling experiences along the way.”

Harry Hadden-Paton

Downton Abbey 2 – A New Era is out only in theatres May 20 – here’s a first exclusive look!

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Chiara

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