Downton Abbey EXCLUSIVE: Laura Haddock makes her grand entrance as a glamorous 20s film star after the iconic manor is transformed into a film set in a clip from sequel A New Era
Downton Abbey: A New Era will see the debut of Laura Haddock as a glamorous 1920s film star, with the actress seeming unimpressed by the iconic manor in the much-anticipated sequel.
In an exclusive clip obtained by MailOnline, the White Lines star transforms into period star Myrna Dalgleish who arrives at the Crawley household as it prepares to become the set for a Hollywood film.
Downton Abbey: A New Era will see the famous family take a surprise trip to the French Riviera after learning that family matriarch Dowager Countess Violet has inherited a villa from a former lover.
EXCLUSIVE: A new clip from the upcoming sequel Downton Abbey: A New Era sees Laura Haddock debut as a glamorous 1920s film star
In the clip, Downton’s staff are awash with excitement at the arrival of star Myrna as filming prepares to comment on a major Hollywood blockbuster.
Housemaid Anna Bates (played by Joanne Froggatt) and assistant cook Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera) rush onto the driveway as her car begins to pull up outside the house.
Clad in a stunning blue silk dress and with a white fur trim, Laura’s character Myrna steps out of the car, but appears unimpressed by the picturesque Downton, pursing her lips in dismay.
Exciting: The actress’ character Myrna Dalgleish, a beloved film star, sparkes excitement from the staff below stairs at the famous manor, which has been transformed into a film set
Coming soon: In the clip, Downton’s staff are awash with excitement at the arrival of star Myrna as filming prepares to comment on a major Hollywood blockbuster
Need some help? Footmen are seen unloading Myrna’s vast collection of Louis Vuitton luggage
Failing to acknowledge any of the waiting staff, she swans through the front door into the grand foyer, with butler Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) adjusting his suit in preparation.
Meanwhile lady’s maid Phyllis Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) is joined by former butler and teacher Joseph Molesley (Kevin Doyle), asking why he’s come to visit the house.
He gushes: ‘You know I love anything to do with films,’ before Baxter notes: ‘I know you enjoy a trip to the pictures.’
Grand arrival: Clad in a stunning blue silk dress and with a white fur trim, Laura’s character Myrna steps out of the car, but appears unimpressed by the picturesque Downton
Out of my way! Failing to acknowledge any of the waiting staff, she swans through the front door into the grand foyer, with butler Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) adjusting his suit
Moseley then passionately notes: ‘It’s more than that, for me Hollywood is the ultimate dream factory and I need dreams as much as the next man.’
Downton Abbey: A New Era will see a slew of new faces join the star-studded cast, including Dominic West and Hugh Dancy.
The film, written by Julian Fellowes, takes the familiar faces to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’s newly inherited villa as they try to escape a film crew at Downton.
Violet’s announcement, which comes after she revealed in the previous film that she doesn’t have long to live, will set the stage for the family to pay a visit to France in the hope of learning more about her beau’s identity.
Why are you here? Meanwhile lady’s maid Phyllis Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) is joined by former butler and teacher Joseph Molesley (Kevin Doyle), asking why he’s come to visit the house
Excited: He tells her: ‘For me Hollywood is the ultimate dream factory and I need dreams as much as the next man’
It’s also hinted that the family’s veteran butler Carson may discover more about the Dowager Countess’ history, after finding a portrait of her as a beautiful young woman.
Elsewhere, A New Era will also see a film director visit Downton with the hope of making a ‘talking picture’, a newly discovered craze in the 1920s.
The upcoming sequel will see the return of the much loved cast including Hugh Bonneville, Penelope Wilton and Michelle Dockery.
The trailer also shows the estate becoming the setting for a film and a slim mustached Dominic West, who plays an 1920s Hollywood actor, becomes quite the heartthrob among the staff.
What a scandal! The film will see the famous family take a surprise trip to the French Riviera after learning that Dowager Countess Violet has inherited a villa from a former lover
Widower Tom Branson will finally discover happiness again following the death of his wife Sybil years earlier, as he ties the knot with maid Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) who he met in the first film.
As ever all of Downton’s beloved staff are expected to appear in the film, including Anna, Thomas, Elsie Hughes (Phyllis Logan), young Daisy and John Bates (Brendan Coyle).
The screenplay has been penned by Downton Abbey creator and Oscar winner Julian Fellowes and BAFTA and Emmy nominated Simon Curtis is directing.
Downton Abbey: A New Era will be released in the UK on Friday, April 29, and in the US on Friday, May 20.
Coming soon: Downton Abbey: A New Era will be released in the UK on Friday, April 29, and in the US on Friday, May 20
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