The Incredible Journey of 'Downton Abbey' Stars: What Are They Up to Now?

Undoubtedly a timeless masterpiece, Downton Abbey captivated millions of viewers over the course of its six-season run. Even after its conclusion, fans continue to indulge in the enthralling drama through binge-watching.

Originally airing on ITV from 2010 to 2015, this British series successfully traversed the Atlantic to captivate PBS audiences. Boasting an esteemed cast such as Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, and other iconic English actors, the show garnered widespread critical acclaim and received numerous prestigious awards. Among its accolades are a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries.

The cast of Downton Abbey has not only enjoyed a tremendous success on television but has also been involved in the creation of two full-length movie adaptations in 2019 and 2022. Take a look below to find out what the cast of Downton Abbey is currently doing.

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'Downton Abbey' Stars: Where Are They Now?

Truly a classic! Downton Abbey caught the attention of millions of viewers throughout its six seasons — and fans are still binge-watching the drama well after its finale.

The British series aired on ITV from 2010 to 2015 and was also broadcasted to PBS audiences in the United States. With outstanding performances from Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, and other esteemed English actors, the show received rave reviews and numerous accolades. These include winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film and earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries.

Not only did Downton Abbey achieve massive success on television, but it also transitioned into the realm of movies. Two full-length film adaptations of the popular series were released in 2019 and 2022, featuring several members of the original cast reprising their beloved roles.

Scroll down to learn what the cast of Downton Abbey is up to now:

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Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley)

The English actor received a Golden Globe nomination and two consecutive Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, throughout the six seasons of the show. Following the conclusion of Downton Abbey, Bonneville starred in 2014's Paddington and its 2017 sequel, Paddington 2. He also had a role as Lord Mountbatten in the 2017 film Viceroy's House. In 2019, Bonneville was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex, England.

In 2023, it was confirmed by his representative that he and his wife, Lulu Williams, had separated after being married for 25 years. They have a son named Felix, who was born in 2003.

 

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Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil)

Brown Findlay, who studied at the National Youth Ballet and the Associates of the Royal Ballet during her childhood, made a career shift from dancing to acting. While she gained recognition for portraying Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey, she is also notable for her performances in the films Albatross (2011) and Winter's Tale (2014), as well as her role in the British series Harlots, which aired from 2017 to 2019 for three seasons. After dating for four years, Findlay tied the knot with actor Ziggy Heath in September 2020.

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Laura Carmichael (Edith Pelham)

Following her time on Downton Abbey, the British actress featured in the television series Marcella (2016) and the 2016 film A United Kingdom, alongside Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo. She reprised her role as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham (formerly Lady Edith Crawley), in the film adaptation of Downton Abbey released in 2019. Since 2016, Carmichael has been in a relationship with Michael C. Fox, known for his portrayal of Andrew Parker in the ITV period drama.

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Jim Carter (Charles Carson)

The remarkable series earned the esteemed British actor a total of four Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Mr. Carson, a captivating role that he played from 2012 to 2015. In the highly anticipated 2019 Downton Abbey movie, he skillfully reprised his beloved character, sharing the screen with his wife, Imelda Staunton. Carter's impressive filmography includes notable works such as Shakespeare in Love (1998), Ella Enchanted (2004), Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), and The Good Liar (2019). In recognition of his contributions to the world of drama, he was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2019.

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Brendan Coyle (John Bates)

The outstanding performance of the Olivier Award winner in Downton Abbey garnered tremendous praise, resulting in an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2012. Additionally, he achieved remarkable success by winning three Screen Actors Guild Awards from 2013 to 2016. Coyle further showcased his talent in the films Me Before You in 2016 and Mary Queen of Scots in 2018.

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Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Talbot)

Having debuted on stage in His Dark Materials in 2004, the London-born actress went on to join the cast of Downton Abbey. Over the show's six seasons, Dockery garnered nominations for a Golden Globe Award and three Emmy Awards. In more recent times, she has captivated audiences with her performances in the Netflix miniseries Godless, earning her fourth Emmy nomination, as well as the AppleTV+ miniseries Defending Jacob.

In September 2023, Dockery exchanged vows with Jasper Waller-Bridge in the presence of numerous fellow Downton costars.

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Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates)

Froggatt landed a role on ITV’s Liar following the conclusion of the period drama, which aired in 2017. In February 2019, the Golden Globe winner made her debut on the London stage in Alys, Always. She then announced her separation from her husband of almost eight years, James Cannon, one year later.

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Rose Leslie (Gwen Harding)

In addition to her role in Downton Abbey, Leslie gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Ygritte in Game of Thrones. The talented Scottish actress appeared on seasons 2, 3, and 4 of the popular HBO series, where she played the love interest of Jon Snow, portrayed by Kit Harington. Interestingly, Leslie and Harington tied the knot in June 2018. The news of her pregnancy with their first child was revealed during her photoshoot for U.K.'s Make Magazine in September 2020. Their baby boy was born in February 2021, and their second child, a daughter, arrived in the summer of 2023.

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Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow)

From his beginnings on the well-known U.K. soap opera Coronation Street, the model launched his career prior to his involvement in Downton Abbey. Following the conclusion of Downton Abbey's series, he secured a few minor roles on British television. Finally, in 2019, he became part of the cast of the British comedy-drama Ackley Bridge.

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Phyllis Logan (Elsie Carson)

The Scottish actress gained recognition for her portrayal of Lady Jane Felsham in Lovejoy, a popular British mystery series that aired from 1986 to 1993. However, she truly captivated audiences as Mrs. Carson (née Hughes) in the beloved show Downton Abbey. This character quickly became a fan favorite, and she even reprised the role in the highly anticipated spin-off film released in 2019. In addition to her success on the small screen, she also showcased her talent alongside renowned actors such as Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Greg Kinnear in Misbehaviour, a captivating film released in 2020.

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Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley)

The Oscar winner,

Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley)

, is recognized for her notable performances in Ordinary People (1980), Ragtime (1981), The Handmaid's Tale (1990), and The Chaperone (2018). Following the conclusion of the widely acclaimed series Downton Abbey, McGovern embarked on a successful U.K. tour with her band, Sadie and the Hotheads. Notably, in 2019, she showcased her talent in a remarkable television adaptation of H.G. Wells' renowned 1898 novel War of the Worlds.

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Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason)

After the series finale of Downton Abbey, the 2015 live-action Cinderella film saw the talented British actress sharing the screen with Lily James, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Cate Blanchett. In a more recent venture, she captivated audiences in the Netflix hit The Queen's Gambit, alongside Anya Taylor-Joy and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

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Lesley Nicol (Beryl Patmore)

After concluding her journey on Downton Abbey, the accomplished actress went on to grace American television screens, making notable guest appearances on popular shows like Supernatural and The Odd Couple, both airing on The CW and CBS respectively. Furthermore, she showcased her artistic talents by collaborating with songwriter Mark Mueller to create a captivating musical production based on her own life. In 2017, this remarkable show took center stage at London's renowned Fringe Club, where she mesmerized the audience with her incredible performance.

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Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley)

Renowned for his exceptional performances in both theatrical productions and on-screen endeavors, Doyle made a remarkable comeback in the esteemed 2019 cinematic adaptation of Downton Abbey, reprising his celebrated role as the astute and devoted butler Joseph Molesley. As an actor, he has also garnered recognition for his remarkable contributions to numerous acclaimed British television series, exemplified by his compelling performances in Happy Valley, The Lakes, Coronation Street, and The Crimson Field.

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Dame Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley)

The Harry Potter film series, spanning from 2001 to 2011, featured the incredible talents of the Oscar-winning actress in the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall. Subsequently, she joined the esteemed cast of Downton Abbey. Noteworthy additions to her impressive filmography include The First Wives Club (1996), Becoming Jane (2007), and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015).

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Penelope Wilton (Isobel Grey)

With an impressive body of work, Wilton has been involved in several notable productions. These include Shaun of the Dead in 2004, Pride and Prejudice in 2005, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in 2012, and its 2015 sequel. Additionally, she showcased her talent alongside Ricky Gervais in the dark Netflix comedy After Life, which premiered in 2019. The success of the show led to its renewal for a third season in May 2020.

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Lily James (Lady Rose Aldridge)

After starring in Downton Abbey for four seasons, James went on to secure impressive movie roles. These included appearances in Baby Driver (2017), Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), Yesterday (2019), and Rebecca (2020). However, in October 2020, she made headlines when paparazzi captured her engaging in PDA with her married Pursuit of Love costar Dominic West during a trip to Rome. These intimate pictures emerged shortly after James had been romantically linked to Chris Evans, following her split from The Crown's Matt Smith. Adding to the drama, she was then spotted kissing musician Michael Schuman in February 2021, just a few months later.

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Allen Leech (Tom Branson)

Following the conclusion of Downton Abbey, Leech appeared in the 2018 biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody, alongside Academy Award winner Rami Malek. He tied the knot with actress Jessica Blair Herman in January 2019, almost a year after their engagement was announced. In 2020, they joyfully welcomed their first child into the world, and the couple shared the exciting news that they were expecting another baby girl in 2022.