PBS Masterpiece Classic launches its official 'Downton Abbey' website

After winning 6 Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night, PBS Masterpiece Classic  launched an official website for its very popular and multi-Emmy award winning series, Downton Abbey (which according to Deadline, was recenty awarded by The Guiness World of Records with an accolade of the “Highest critical review ratings for a TV show”). The PBS official site features all the latest Downton Abbey news, videos and photos, Schedule for season 1 and 2 in PDF, countdown timer for Season 2, exclusive features, etc.

Check out its official US website:
PBS Masterpiece - Downton Abbey

Indulge in the world of Downton Abbey! For a limited time, watch the complete first season of Downton Abbey online, see a preview of season two or watch it below and more...

Watch the Season 2 Preview trailer

Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.

Also, Season 1 will be repeated (especially for those of you who missed it or still haven't seen DA's first season) in December 2011 in anticipation of Season 2 beginning Jan. 8, 2012. Plus, Season 2 will be shown on PBS Masterpiece Classic in its entirety!

More about → PBS Masterpiece Classic launches its official 'Downton Abbey' website

On TV Tonight: Watch the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards

While UK Fans are lucky to be seeing the Season 2 premiere of Downton Abbey tonight on ITV as well as its competition Spooks (aka MI-5 in the U.S., which our Matthew Macfadyen was an original cast member along with his real-life wife, actress Keeley Hawes at the first few seasons of the long-running British spy drama series before he was cast in Pride & Prejudice) with the premiere of the first episode (of six) of its 10th and final season on BBC. Well, here in the U.S., The 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards is on tonight starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Fox with host Jane Lynch aka Glee's (Sue Sylvester). The following period dramas/miniseries (starring a few of our favorite P&P actors) are nominated for an Emmy Award such as Downton Abbey (Penelope Wilton) with 11 nominations, The Pillars of the Earth (Matthew Macfadyen and Donald Sutherland) with 7, and Any Human Heart (Matthew Macfadyen and Tom Hollander) with 4 nominations.  See all the categories they are nominated here: Downton Abbey, The Pillars of the Earth, and Any Human Heart nominated for 2011's Primetime Emmy Awards

UPDATE: 4 Wins (and a total of 6 Primetime Emmy Awards including 2 wins at last week's Creative Arts Emmy 2011) for Downton Abbey tonight including Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Maggie Smith and the big prize: Outstanding Miniseries or Made for Television Movie! Congrats to Downton Abbey's cast and crew and PBS Masterpiece Classic!!!!!!
 

Note: Downton Abbey already won 2 Creative Arts Emmy 2011, (which was already handed out a week ago prior to the Emmys) for Costumes and Cinematography For A Miniseries Or TV Movie. 
The Pillars of The Earth won Sound Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special. 

Best of luck tonight to PBS Masterpiece's Downton Abbey and Any Human Heart and Starz' The Pillars of The Earth!

Primetime Emmy Award Winners 2011

Outstanding Miniseries or Made for Television Movie

Winner: "Downton Abbey" (2010)

Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special

Winner: "Downton Abbey" (2010) - Brian Percival

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

Winner: Maggie Smith for "Downton Abbey" (2010)

Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special

Winner: "Downton Abbey" (2010) - Julian Fellowes

I'll try to LIVE Blog here tonight (if I make it on time at the start of the show or will just randomly live update here, lol) and post/update here the Emmy Winners...

More about → On TV Tonight: Watch the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards

Watch: Preview Promo Trailer for 'Downton Abbey - Season 2'

Season 2 of ITV's very popular period drama series Downton Abbey will premiere in less than 2 weeks (Sept. 18th) from now for those lucky UK fans. For us, unfortunate U.S. fans (who will have to wait 4 long months till it premieres on PBS' Masterpiece Classic on January 8th, 2012), we can only watch the new S2 promo teaser trailers, which you can watch below, to get us through this long wait...any news, stills, and clips or anything DA related actually will get us anticipating and excited about it...really...lol.

Anyway, one of the promo trailers features a quick glimpse of our as Isobel Crawley, widowed mother of Dan Stevens' Matthew Crawley, heir to the large estate of Downton Abbey.


View Downton Abbey - images from 1st episode of new season (via Cheryl's Enchanted Serenity of Period Films Blog)

Watch a the promo trailer below...

Downton Abbey - Series 2 Promo

(soure: HUGHJ99)

Plus another slightly longer version below...

Downton Abbey Series 2 Trailer

(source: Khalilullah)

 Read more info on Downton Abbey here! (via Cheryl's Enchanted Serenity of Period Films Blog)

More about → Watch: Preview Promo Trailer for 'Downton Abbey - Season 2'

Downton Abbey Season 2 press release, production stills, new interview with Penelope Wilton, and more!

"What is a weekend?" All these jam-packed full of Downton Abbey fab ITV DA press release and preview for Season 2 that is!

UK's ITV has just released its international hit series, Downton Abbey (Series 2) Press Release with tons of goodies and preview for season 2 to whet our appetites (especially for us, US fans who will have to wait a while longer to see season 2!) including Downton Abbey cast and their character images features our as Isobel Crawley, widowed mother of Dan Stevens' Matthew Crawley, heir to the large estate of Downton Abbey and production stills for season 2, season 2 synopsis, The world of Downton Abbey companion book info and image, soundtrack CD info, DVD artwork, cast interviews including Penelope Wilton (which you can read below), and more! So much info all at once, I can't hardly wait and is eagerly anticipating season 2 of DA!!! January 2012 can't come fast enough!

Unfortunately, for us U.S. fans, we'll have to wait 6 months before we can see Downton Abbey on PBS' Masterpiece Classic, as Season 2 will premiere January 8, 2012 (USA) while lucky UK fans will get to see it just a lil' over a month from now on September 18, 2011 on ITV channel (UK).

Anyway, here are some Downton Abbey's season 2 press release, promo still, new Interview with Penelope Wilton and more...

Downton Abbey (series two) Press Release (via ITV)

Click here to download the full press pack (5mb pdf)

Julian Fellowes' hit drama Downton Abbey is back for a second seriesthis autumn with all the regular cast including Dame Maggie Smith, HughBonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt and DanStevens.

Returning to Downton Abbey in 1916, we see the effects of TheFirst World War on the lives of the Crawley family and the servants whowork for them.

The new series sees the return of all the much loved characterswhose intertwined lives are rendered more complicated by wartime andits impact on the great house itself.

And when the storms of war have finally cleared, will the way oflife known by all the inhabitants of Downton have changed forever?

New faces joining the cast of Downton Abbey include Amy Nuttall, Iain Glen, Zoe Boyle, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Cal Macaninch.

Downton Abbey is a Carnival Films production, written by JulianFellowes, executive produced by Gareth Neame and produced by LizTrubridge.

Downton Abbey Season 2 cast promo still

(source:  ITV and Enchanted Serenity of Period Films)

Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton)
 

As the wife and daughter of doctors, nobody could be better than Isobel when
it comes to taking a prominent role in running Downton as a convalescent home. In Isobelʼs opinion, at any rate. She finds it extremely unreasonable of Cora to object when she, Isobel, gives the orders and makes the decisions in Coraʼs house. We donʼt agree. But it is Isobel who sees more clearly than her son when Matthewʼs rigorous sense of honour is forcing him into a decision that will bring only unhappiness in its wake. No one can say she does not do everything in her power to avert it.

Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens)

By the summer of 1914, Matthew had grown into his role as heir to the Downton estate. He thought his life was settled until, first, he discovered his true love, Mary, was not prepared to take him without money, dashing all his belief in her to the ground, and, second, he was sent to the front as an enlisted officer.

Now he has not only a new career but a new love, Lavinia Swire, a young
woman from London and he means to transform Mary from lover to sister if he
possibly can. He is a good soldier, moral and brave, determined as he ever was, to do his best for his country, but the reality of war and how he, personally, is tested by it, take him to the very limits of endurance.




Press Pack

D O W N T O N A B B E Y

AN INTERVIEW WITH PENELOPE WILTON


Penelope Wilton plays Mrs Isobel Crawley. She comes to live with her relatives at Downton Abbey, but frequently clashes with her more traditionalist cousins, Cora and Violet.


Penelope, universally acknowledged as one of the best actresses of her generation, talks us through Isobel’s situation in the second series. She says, “Isobel has rather come into her own in the war, having been married to a doctor and also having trained as a nurse. We’re now in 1916, in the throes of war, so she’s busy running and setting up hospitals and convalescent homes and trying to deal with the enormous number of soldiers coming home with terrible wounds.


“It’s not just physical injury, there’s a lot of trauma that goes with the physical injury. So she’s very busy with the hospital and also now with Downton Abbey, which has been turned in to a convalescent home. So she’s busy raising money for that, arranging concerts, organizing timetables for nurses and patients – she’s completely embroiled in that.”

The running of the convalescent home causes tension between Isobel and Cora. Penelope says, “Isobel sees herself as the person who has the expertise and training to run the convalescent home much to Cora’s chagrin as it’s her home. Cora doesn’t like to have rules and regulations or her way of life altered without being in charge, so there is a certain amount of conflict erupting between these two rather strong women.


“Isobel doesn’t really have a leg to stand on - except that she does have the knowledge about how to manage a proper convalescent home, which, of course, Cora doesn’t, having never had a professional job in her life. Cora lives in this very privileged life, while lesser mortals like Isobel know what’s really going on in the world. Cora is brought up rather short when Isobel takes on the responsibilities with enormous aplomb - which is also rather annoying for Cora!”


Isobel has other, profound and personal anxieties to cope with during the war. According to Penelope, “Her son Matthew has gone off to war and is serving on the frontline. So she’s also dealing with the worry of that which is constant, as it was with all mothers whose sons went off to fight in the war.”

The other major issue that Isobel has to cope with in the second series is the breakup of the relationship between Matthew and Mary. Penelope says, “Isobel came to terms with that at the end of the last series. She thinks it’s a pity, but now this nice girl Lavinia has come into Matthew’s life, she thinks the family should simply get on with things and accept her.


“I think Isobel is living off her nerves. Like the rest of the population, all those people left at home, she’s a very worried person, because of her son at the Front. These days we see a lot of television footage from the frontline in contemporary wars. But then there was a whole world left behind that had to just wait and see if their husband, brother, son or father was going to come back. So many of them didn’t, so it kept them very much on their toes.”


Following series one, many of the exchanges between Isobel and Violet were repeated in the press. Penelope is delighted that people embraced that battle of the battleaxes. “I very much hope they will repeat that, as those sorts of scenes are so much fun to play. There’s more energy going on, it’s more
interesting.


“Also Julian has plotted it so there’s build up of irritations and clashes of wills between Violet and Isobel. These are very strong women, who are used to being in charge of their own properties and their own homes. It’s very difficult for Isobel because she’s not in charge like she used to be before she had to move because of her son.”


Penelope, who also starred in Doctor Who, Ever Decreasing Circles, and The Borrowers, adds, “Isobel has no real wish to be here. She’s making the best of it, but it’s not something she would really choose. She’s not somebody who would like to have the life that these people have at all. She thinks they’re of another century and that they have to move on. In that way, she’s very much a new woman and believes in women’s suffrage – not to the extent of throwing herself in front of horses, but she’s very much a believer in women having the vote and having more independence from paternalistic society which is probably why she and Lady Sybil share such a kindred spirit.”


Downton Abbey has been sold to more than 140 countries. This means that wherever they go in the world the cast are recognized. For Penelope, however, that is not a problem. She jokes, “I go around in deep disguise pretty much all the time, I wear a wig and these hats, and nobody ever recognizes me!”


DOWNTON ABBEY - THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Released in September, the Decca album of the Downton Abbey soundtrack includes original music by
renowned British composer John Lunn, as well as a newly-commissioned song to lyrics by Oscar-winner
Don Black - based on the main “Downton Abbey” theme, and performed by highly-acclaimed vocalist, Mary-Jess Leaverland. Also featuring are two specially-recorded songs from the period in which the
second series is set, sung by Britain's favourite tenor, Alfie Boe.

For more information please contact:
Jude Dexter Smith: jude.dexter-smith@umusic.com / 07947 621547


THE WORLD OF DOWNTON ABBEY
Jessica Fellowes
Foreword by Julian Fellowes

‘My dear fellow. We all have chapters we would rather keep unpublished’ Lord Grantham

Get behind doors, that have until now, remained closed. Get under the skin of the characters and actors uncover the full story behind the intrigues and secrets, discover The World of Downton Abbey.

The first series of this acclaimed drama captured the imagination of the nation. With 12 million viewers at its peak, it has become the benchmark for quality television and a commentary on all things British.

The official accompanying book, The World of Downton Abbey, goes through the doors of the great house and into the lives of the Crawley family and those who serve them. With the onset of the First World War we witness a house, its occupants and a society on the brink of dramatic change. Author Jessica Fellowes takes us beyond what we witness on screen – documenting not only the realities and secrets of life both upstairs and down, as a Lady and as a Lady’s maid, but the story behind the camera and the lengths its creators have gone to in order to bring to life such a lavish large scale production.


Fully illustrated with stunning, exclusive photographs, the text is interwoven with cast interviews, behind the scenes secrets, and profiles of all the main characters – old and new – from the Dowager Countess to Daisy. From the pressures of wartime England to the meticulous detail of the costumes, sets and props, Jessica brings the richness, drama, romance and style of Downton to the page.

Jessica Fellowes is an author and freelance journalist. Formerly the Deputy Editor of Country Life, she also writes for The Telegraph, Psychologies and The Lady. She lives in London with her family.

The World of Downton Abbey is published by Collins on Thursday 15th September, priced £20.

For further information please contact Katherine Patrick at HarperCollins on 0208 307 4802. katherine.patrick@harpercollins.co.uk

Also, a couple more images of Downton Abbey including the DVD cover artwork for Season 2...

[Source: ITV - for all Downtown Abbey images stills and loads of season 2 info. posted here!]

For more on Downton Abbey's Season 2 and frequent news updates, cast interviews, videos, and all things DA related news and articles, check out Cheryl's fabulous and very informative Enchanted Serenity of Period Films blog (and LIKE her awesome Period Movies FB page to get frequently updated on your favorite period films!) with all the DA season two info. here: Downton Abbey - Season 2!

More about → Downton Abbey Season 2 press release, production stills, new interview with Penelope Wilton, and more!

Downton Abbey, The Pillars of the Earth, and Any Human Heart nominated for 2011's Primetime Emmy Awards

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Nominations has just been announced today and the following period dramas/miniseries (starring a few of our favorite P&P actors) are nominated such as Downton Abbey (Penelope Wilton) with 11 nominations, The Pillars of the Earth (Matthew Macfadyen and Donald Sutherland) with 7, and Any Human Heart (Matthew Macfadyen and Tom Hollander) with 4 nominations. The Primetime Emmy Awards will be handed out September 18th!

Here are the following categories they are nominated...


Outstanding Miniseries/Made For Television Movie
Cinema Verite • HBO • A Pariah Production in association with HBO Films
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
The Kennedys • ReelzChannel • A Muse Entertainment Production in association with Asylum Entertainment
Mildred Pierce • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
The Pillars Of The Earth • Starz • Tandem Communications and Muse Entertainment in association with Scott Free Films
Too Big To Fail • HBO • A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Diane Lane as Patricia Loud - Cinema Verite • HBO
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora, Countess of Grantham - Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • PBS
Kate Winslet as Mildred Pierce - Mildred Pierce • HBO
Taraji P. Henson as Tiffany Rubin - Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story • Lifetime
Jean Marsh as Rose Buck - Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece) • PBS


Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham - Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • PBS
Evan Rachel Wood as Veda Pierce - Mildred Pierce • HBO
Melissa Leo as Lucy Gessler - Mildred Pierce • HBO
Mare Winningham as Ida - Mildred Pierce • HBO
Eileen Atkins as Lady Maud Holland - Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece) 

Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
Julian Fellowes, Written By
Mildred Pierce • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Todd Haynes, Written By
Jon Raymond, Written By
Sherlock: A Study In Pink (Masterpiece) • PBS • A Hartswood Films production for BBC cymru wales, co-produced with Masterpiece
Steven Moffat, Written By
Too Big To Fail • HBO • A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films
Peter Gould, Written By
Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece) • PBS • A co-production of BBC Wales and WGBH Boston
Heidi Thomas, Written By

Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
Carlos • Sundance Channel • Daniel Leconte/Film en Stock with the participation of Canal Plus and ARTE in association with Sundance Channel, co-produced by Egoli Tossel
Olivier Assayas, Directed by
Cinema Verite • HBO • A Pariah Production in association with HBO Films
Shari Springer Berman, Directed by
Robert Pulcini, Directed by
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • Part 1 • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
Brian Percival, Directed by
Mildred Pierce • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Todd Haynes, Directed by
Too Big To Fail • HBO • A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films
Curtis Hanson, Directed by

Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • Part 1 • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
David Katznelson, DFF, Director of Photography
The Kennedys • Life Sentences • ReelzChannel • A Muse Entertainment
Production in association with Asylum Entertainment
David Moxness, C.S.C, Director of Photography
Mildred Pierce • Part Five • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Ed Lachman, ASC, Director of Photography
The Pillars Of The Earth • Legacy • Starz • Tandem Communications and Muse Entertainment in association with Scott Free Films
Atilla Szalay, Director of Photography
Too Big To Fail • HBO • A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films
Kramer Morgenthau, ASC, Director of Photography

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries Or A Movie
Cinema Verite • HBO • A Pariah Production in association with HBO Films
Sarah Flack, A.C.E., Editor
Robert Pulcini, Editor
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • Part 1 • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
John Wilson, A.C.E., Editor
Mildred Pierce • Part Four • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Camilla Toniolo, Editor
Sherlock: A Study In Pink (Masterpiece) • PBS • A Hartswood Films production for BBC cymru wales, co-produced with Masterpiece
Charlie Phillips, Editor
Too Big To Fail • HBO • A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films
Barbara Tulliver, A.C.E., Editor
Plummy Tucker, A.C.E., Editor

Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
Cinema Verite • HBO • A Pariah Production in association with HBO Films
Randi Hiller, CSA, Casting Director
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
Jill Trevellick, CDG, Casting Director
Mildred Pierce • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Laura Rosenthal, Casting Director
Too Big To Fail • HBO • A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films
Alexa L. Fogel, CSA, Casting Director
Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece) • PBS • A co-production of BBC Wales and WGBH Boston
Andy Pryor, CDG, Casting Director

Outstanding Art Direction For A Miniseries Or Movie
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
Donal Woods, Production Designer
Charmian Adams, Art Director
Gina Cromwell, Set Decorator
The Kennedys • ReelzChannel • A Muse Entertainment Production in association with Asylum Entertainment
Rocco Matteo, Production Designer
Mun Yin Kwun, Art Director
Enrico Campana, Set Decorator
Mildred Pierce • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Mark Friedberg, Production Designer
Peter Rogness, Art Director
Ellen Christiansen-De Jonge, Set Decorator
Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece) • PBS • A co-production of BBC Wales and WGBH Boston
Eve Stewart, Production Designer
David Hindle, Art Director
Julia Castle, Set Decorator

Outstanding Main Title Design
Any Human Heart (Masterpiece) • PBS • A Carnival/Channel 4/Masterpiece
co-production
Paul McDonnell, Designer
Hugo Moss, Art Director
Justin Lowings, Animator
Boardwalk Empire • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Karin Fong, Designer/Director
Michelle Dougherty, Designer/Director
Lauren Hartstone, Designer/Art Director
Cara McKenney, Producer/Art Director
Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, 360 Television, Grok and
Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Angus Wall, Creative Director
Robert Feng, Art Director
Kirk H. Shintani, Animator
Hameed Shaukat, Designer
Rubicon • AMC • Warner Horizon Television
Karin Fong, Creative Director
Jeremy Cox, Designer/Animator
Theodore Daley, Designer
Cara McKenney, Producer/Art Director
Too Big To Fail • HBO • A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films
Michael Riley, Creative Director
Bob Swenson, Creative Lead
Adam Bluming, Editor
Cory Shaw, Designer/Animator

Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
Cinema Verite • HBO • A Pariah Production in association with HBO Films
Suttirat Anne Larlarb, Costume Designer
Joseph T. Mastrolia, Costume Supervisor
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • Part 1 • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
Susannah Buxton, Costume Designer
Caroline McCall, Assistant Costume Designer
Mildred Pierce • Part Two • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Ann Roth, Costume Designer
Michelle Matland, Assistant Costume Designer
Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece) • Part 1 • PBS • A co-production of BBC Wales and WGBH Boston
Amy Roberts, Costume Designer
Giles Gale, Costume Supervisor

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Miniseries Or A Movie
Cinema Verite • HBO • A Pariah Production in association with HBO Films
Terry Baliel, Department Head Hairstylist
Carol Pershing, Key Hairstylist
Beth Miller, Personal Hairstylist
The Kennedys • ReelzChannel • A Muse Entertainment Production in association with Asylum Entertainment
Jenny Arbour, Department Head Hairstylist
Mildred Pierce • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Jerry DeCarlo, Department Head Hairstylist
Jerry Popolis, Personal Hairstylist
The Pillars Of The Earth • Starz • Tandem Communications and Muse Entertainment in association with Scott Free Films
Tricia Cameron, Department Head Hairstylist
Loulia Sheppard, Key Hairstylist

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
Any Human Heart (Masterpiece) • Part 2 • PBS • A Carnival/Channel 4/Masterpiece co-production
Adam Armitage, Sound Effects Editor
Alex Sawyer, Dialogue Editor
Laura Lovejoy, Dialogue Editor
Keith Partridge, Sound Editor
Robin Whittaker, Music Editor
Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) • Part 1 • PBS • A co-production of Carnival and Masterpiece
Adam Armitage, Sound FX Editor
Alex Sawyer, Dialogue Editor
Mildred Pierce • Part Five • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Eliza Paley, Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor
Tony Martinez, Dialogue/ADR Editor
Thomas Younkman, Sound Effects Editor
Brian Dunlop, Foley Editor
Todd Kasow, Music Editor
Ellen Heuer, Foley Artist
The Pillars Of The Earth • The Work Of Angels • Starz • Tandem Communications and Muse Entertainment in association with Scott Free Films
Marcel Pothier, Supervising Sound Editor
Christian Rivest, Sound Designer
Antoine Morin, Sound Effects Editor
Guy Pelletier, Music and Dialogue Editor
Guy Francoeur, Foley Artist

Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
Gettysburg • HISTORY • Produced by ScottFree Productions in association with Herzog & Company for HISTORY
Kent Johnson, Visual Effects Supervisor
J. David Everhart, Visual Effects Producer
Mike Yip, Lead Visual Effects Animator
Jon Rhinehardt, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Jason Korber, Visual Effects Compositor
Jared Jones, Visual Effects Compositor
Ethan Summers, Lead Model Maker
Brent Steinberg, CGI Artist
Max Poolman, Special Effects Supervisor
Mildred Pierce • Part Five • HBO • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Lesley Robson-Foster, Visual Effects Supervisor
John Bair, Visual Effects Supervisor
Renuka Ballal, Visual Effects Producer
Constance Conrad, Compositor
Marci Ichimura, Compositor
Nathan Meier, CGI Artist
Josephine Noh, Compositor
Aaron Raff, Compositor
Scott Winston, Compositor
The Pillars Of The Earth • Witchcraft • Starz • Tandem Communications and Muse Entertainment in association with Scott Free Films
Vit Komrzy, Visual Effects Producer
Viktor Muller, Visual Effects Supervisor
Paul Stephenson, Special Effects Supervisor
Sherlock: A Study In Pink (Masterpiece) • PBS • A Hartswood Films production for BBC cymru wales, co-produced with Masterpiece
James Etherington, Visual Effects Supervisor

Deadline has the complete list of Primetime Emmy Nominations here!

More about → Downton Abbey, The Pillars of the Earth, and Any Human Heart nominated for 2011's Primetime Emmy Awards

Talulah Riley makes BAFTA's 'Brits To Watch' list

According to Deadline, BAFTA announced today and names its first annual Brits to Watch list. P&P's own Talulah Riley (Mary Bennet) made the list of 42 Brits to Watch, who will be the focus of the inaugural BAFTA Brits to Watch. They will each be in attendance in the black-and-tie event on July 9th, where BAFTA's President, The Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) and his new wife The Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine Middleton) will attend the event as part of their visit to California.

Read the press release (via Deadline) below, (which includes Talulah's name in the full Brits to Watch list with a couple other familiar names: Jessica Brown Findley, who played the youngest daughter of the Earl of Grantham, Lady Sybil Crawley in Downtown Abbey with  and Juno Temple, who appeared in Notes on a Scandal with Judi Dench and Atonement with Keira Knightley will be seen next in The Three Musketeers 3D with Matthew Macfadyen)...

BAFTA Names First Annual Brits To Watch

London, Friday 1 July 2011: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is delighted to announce the names of the 42 Brits to Watch who will be the focus of the inaugural BAFTA Brits to Watch. The event will take place on Saturday 9 July at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. BAFTA’s President, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, and HRH The Duchess of Cambridge will attend the event as part of their visit to California, helping highlight the incredible depth and range of great British talent currently emerging in film, television and video games. The 42 Brits have been selected by a BAFTA panel based on a number of criteria. They will generally not be complete beginners in their industry, and will have already begun to show real promise.

They are:
Rory Aitken, Producer
James Bobin, Writer/Director
Jessica Brown Findlay, Actress
David Buckley, Composer
Jamie Bull, Editor
Sam Care, Cinematographer
Joe Cornish, Writer/Director
Damian Daniel, Cinematographer
Brynach Day, Student (Director)
Patrick Dickinson, Student (Director)
Sabrina Doyle, Student (Director)
Gareth Edwards, Director
Charles Griffiths, Video Games Designer
Nick Holt, Documentary Director
Tom Hughes, Actor
Daniel Kaluuya, Actor/Writer
Ben Lambert, Visual Effects Artist
Anna Lavelle, Production Designer
Harry Lloyd, Actor
Victoria Mather, Animator
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Actress
Lou McLoughlan, Student (Director)
Jules Nurrish, Student (Writer/Director)
Folashadé Olagundoye, Production Designer
Debs Paterson, Director
Liza Rhea, Student (Animation)
Talulah Riley, Actress
Oliver Riley-Smith, Student (Writer/Director/Producer)
Caroline Skinner, Producer
Rupert Smith, Director
Katie Sole, Producer
Kate Solomon, Producer
Adrian Sturges, Producer
Juno Temple, Actress
Jack Thorne, Writer
Rachel Tunnard, Editor/Writer
Matt Turner, Video Games Designer
Nathan Walster, Visual Effects Artist
James Watkins, Writer/Director
Dave Whyte, Animator/Graphic Designer
Owain Yeoman, Actor
Aaron Young, Documentary Director/Producer

Examples of their work will be showcased throughout the evening and distributed to the attendees afterwards. The Brits to Watch who are based in the UK will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the event by Academy partner British Airways. Soho House West Hollywood will host a reception for the Brits to Watch on the evening of Friday 8 July.

More about → Talulah Riley makes BAFTA's 'Brits To Watch' list

New 'The Three Musketeers 3D' production stills featuring Matthew Macfadyen

Constantin Film (via The Hollywood Reporter and Promis Inside) has just released several new stills from the upcoming 3D reboot of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers starring Matthew Macfadyen (Athos), Milla Jovovich (M'Lady De Winter), Logan Lerman (D'Artagnan), Ray Stevenson (Porthos), and Luke Evans (Aramis). 

The Three Musketeers is scheduled to open on October 14, 2011.

Check out the 4 new TTM3D stills featuring MM below...

   

(source: The Hollywood Reporter | © 2011 Constantin Film | Promis Inside)

View more TTM3D stills here! 

Speaking of MM, his recent miniseries, Any Human Heart receives 3 BAFTA TV Award Nominations in the following categories...

• Leading Actor
  Jim Broadbent - Any Human Heart (Channel 4) 
• Supporting Actress
  Gillian Anderson - Any Human Heart (Channel 4)
• Drama Serial
  Any Human Heart (Channel 4/Carnival Films)

The awards will be held on Sunday May 22nd at London’s Grosvenor House, hosted by Graham Norton.


Also, Downton Abbey and Any Human Heart lead BAFTA Craft Awards nominations with 5 nominations each.

Any Human Heart has received 5 nominations for the 2011 Bafta Television Craft Awards.  The nominations include

• COSTUME DESIGN
• MAKE UP & HAIR DESIGN
• ORIGINAL MUSIC
• PHOTOGRAPHY & LIGHTING: FICTION
• SOUND: FICTION

The awards will be held at The Brewery in the City of London on Sunday May 8, 2011.

Plus, his 2007 film, 'Death at a Funeral' Announced for Blu-ray!

More about → New 'The Three Musketeers 3D' production stills featuring Matthew Macfadyen

On TV Tonight: Watch Episode 4 of Downton Abbey on PBS Masterpiece Classic

The cast of Downton Abbey

Tonight watch as Isobel Crawley, widowed mother of Dan Stevens' Matthew Crawley, heir to the large estate of Downton Abbey in the final Episode 4 of the British hit miniseries, Downton Abbey on PBS' Masterpiece Classic. Check your local listings for air times in your area.

By the way, while this miniseries was originally made for, just that a miniseries with 7 episodes (4 episodes in the U.S.), it was a huge success in Britain that ITV has renewed it for a second series with 8 more episodes for 2011!   ...

It averaged more than 8 million viewers across the opening three episodes of its initial seven-part run.

The Carnival Films production will return for an eight-part series next year.
Downton Abbey's debut on 26 September had an overnight rating of 7.7 million viewers and a consolidated audience of 9.2 million, according to ITV, making it the channel's most successful new drama since Whitechapel in February last year. The drama also broke the record for a single episode viewing on itv.com's catchup service, the ITV Player.

Meanwhile, the US airing of Downton Abbey episode 1 got 6.7 million average viewers in ratings for PBS Masterpiece Classic...

"Furthermore, Downton Abbey has just opened the ‘Classic’ season on Masterpiece in the U.S. (9th January). Early figures show that it has doubled the season’s average audience reaching 6.7 million people making it the highest rated show Masterpiece has transmitted in recent years."

Furthermore, Downtown Abbey will be getting a 2011 Christmas Special!


Back to the last installment of tonight's DA, as previously posted here...

Scheduled Air dates
Airing January 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2011 on PBS  Check local listings

Episode Guide and Synopsis
Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4


Episode 4
Change is in the air as the politically awakened Sybil rallies for the women's vote, in direct violation of her father's rules. But when Sybil is swept up in the violence surrounding the reading of the election results, Matthew wins a heart by defending the girl and bringing her to safety. Meanwhile, back at Downton Abbey, persistent rumors about a family member cause a rift between Cora and Violet. And, a surprise announcement from Cora complicates the larger issue of Downton's fate.  Read full episode synopsis here!

(Downtown Abbey images source: Downtown Abbey official facebook | FanPop | Shining As Stars | Period Films)

Watch Online
Downton Abbey is available for online viewing
January 10 - February 22, 2011

Buy the Downton Abbey DVD here! (the Original unedited UK version)


Masterpiece 40th Anniversary Sweepstakes
Masterpiece in collaboration with VisitBritain offers you the chance to win a trip for two to the UK. Enter once each day!
 

Read more Characters and Cast and Credits, Dan Stevens Q&A or see the Downton Abbey page on PBS' Masterpiece Classic for more info. about the miniseries. For additional info. on Downton Abbey, visit its official facebook page and iTV!

Also, for additional and complete Downtown Abbey series information, visit Charleybrown's fabulous blog: Enchanted Serenity of Period Films!

More about → On TV Tonight: Watch Episode 4 of Downton Abbey on PBS Masterpiece Classic

On TV Tonight: Watch Episode 3 of Downton Abbey on PBS Masterpiece Classic

Tonight watch as Isobel Crawley, widowed mother of Dan Stevens' Matthew Crawley, heir to the large estate of Downton Abbey in Episode 3 of the British hit series, Downton Abbey on PBS' Masterpiece Classic. Check your local listings for air times in your area.

As previously posted here...

Scheduled Air dates
Airing January 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2011 on PBS  Check local listings

Episode Guide and Synopsis
Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4

Episode 3
In a triumph of the absurd, Violet asks a baffled Matthew to use his legal acumen to dissolve the entail — the very document by which he is to inherit Downton Abbey. Matthew's findings and his hopes for Downton cement his growing closeness with Robert, and a new warmth suffuses his encounters with Mary. Meanwhile, Violet's power struggle with Isobel moves from the hospital grounds to the annual flower show as Isobel casts her democratizing gaze upon Violet's prize-winning roses. Read full episode synopsis here!

(Downtown Abbey images source: Downtown Abbey official facebook | FanPop | Shining As Stars | Period Films)

 Watch a preview clip from Episode 3 below...

Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.

Watch Online
Downton Abbey is available for online viewing
January 10 - February 22, 2011

Buy the Downton Abbey DVD here! (the Original unedited UK version)

Read more Characters and Cast and Credits, Dan Stevens Q&A or see the Downton Abbey page on PBS' Masterpiece Classic for more info. about the miniseries. For additional info. on Downton Abbey, visit its official facebook page and iTV!

Also, for additional and complete Downtown Abbey series information, visit Charleybrown's fabulous blog: Enchanted Serenity of Period Films!

More about → On TV Tonight: Watch Episode 3 of Downton Abbey on PBS Masterpiece Classic

On TV Tonight: Watch Episode 2 of 'Downton Abbey' on PBS Masterpiece Classic

Tonight watch as Isobel Crawley, widowed mother of Dan Stevens' Matthew Crawley, heir to the large estate of Downton Abbey in Episode 2 of the British hit series, Downton Abbey on PBS' Masterpiece Classic. Check your local listings for air times in your area.

As previously posted here...

Scheduled Air dates
Airing January 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2011 on PBS  Check local listings
 
Episode Guide and Synopsis
Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4

Episode 2
As Matthew and Isobel, the newly-arrived Crawleys settle into life in the village, Isobel offers her experience with modern medical techniques at the hospital, to the considerable consternation of Violet. Read full episode synopsis here!

(Downtown Abbey images source: Downtown Abbey official facebook | FanPop | Shining As Stars | Period Films)

Watch Online
Downton Abbey is available for online viewing
January 10 - February 22, 2011


Buy the Downton Abbey DVD here! (the Original unedited UK version)

Read more Characters and Cast and Credits, Dan Stevens Q&A or see the Downton Abbey page on PBS' Masterpiece Classic for more info. about the miniseries. For additional info. on Downton Abbey, visit its official facebook page and iTV!

Also, for additional and complete Downtown Abbey series information, visit Charleybrown's fabulous blog: Enchanted Serenity of Period Films!

More about → On TV Tonight: Watch Episode 2 of 'Downton Abbey' on PBS Masterpiece Classic

On TV Tonight: Watch the premiere of 'Downton Abbey' on PBS Masterpiece Classic

Tonight watch as she plays Isobel Crawley, widowed mother of Dan Stevens' Matthew Crawley, heir to the large estate of Downton Abbey in the 2-hour premiere (Episode 1) of Downton Abbey on PBS' Masterpiece Classic.

Scheduled Air dates
Airing January 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2011 on PBS  Check local listings
Episode Guide and Synopsis
Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4
Set in an Edwardian country house in 1912, Downton Abbey portrays the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them. Written and created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, and starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton (as Isobel Crawley), Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, and many others.

Twitter Event
Revel in the secrets and scandals of Downton Abbey with other fans during our Twitter Event, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2001, 9pm, ET. 

Watch Online
Downton Abbey is available for online viewing
January 10 - February 22, 2011

Watch the PBS' DA preview trailer

Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.

Here's Penelope Wilton (photo source: PBS Masterpiece)'s character/cast info from PBS Masterpiece's website for Downton Abbey...  

Isobel Crawley

Isobel is Matthew's widowed mother. She is the daughter of a doctor (her husband studied under her father) and she comes from the professional middle class. She embodies an entirely different set of values than those of the current Downton Abbey inhabitants, being far better educated than either Violet or Cora. Before long, she is in near constant confrontations with Violet. Isobel is intensely proud of her son.

Penelope Wilton

Born in England to a former actress and businessman father, Penelope Wilton moved to London when she was young and attended the Drama Centre. Acting since the early 1970s, her first love was the stage. Among the many honors for her stage work, Wilton has twice won the London Critics' Circle Award for Best Actress: in 1981 for Much Ado About Nothing and in 1993 for The Deep Blue Sea. 

Wilton has appeared in several Masterpiece productions including Country Matters, The Tale of Beatrix Potter, Wives and Daughters and Lucky Jim. Other notable film and television projects include The Borrowers, Iris, Calendar Girls, Shaun of the Dead, Match Point and Doctor Who.

Wilton was in part attracted to Downton Abbey by the opportunity to work with a personal heroine. "One of the reasons I did [Downton Abbey] was to work with Maggie Smith", Wilton said. "As a younger actress, (only slightly younger than Maggie), the person I admired more than anyone else on stage and in film was Maggie Smith, and I saw her in everything she did at The National Theatre. I wished I could be like her and now it's like working with a heroine and one doesn't have many of those when you grow older."

Read more Characters and Cast and Credits or see the Downton Abbey page on PBS' Masterpiece Classic for more info. about the miniseries. For additional info. on Downton Abbey, visit its official facebook page and iTV!

Also, for additional and complete Downtown Abbey series information, visit Charleybrown's fabulous blog: Enchanted Serenity of Period Films!

Previous Downton Abbey/Penelope Wilton Related Posts

• Downton Abbey stills featuring Penelope Wilton
• "Any Human Heart" starring Matthew Macfadyen to premiere on PBS' Masterpiece Classic February 2011

More about → On TV Tonight: Watch the premiere of 'Downton Abbey' on PBS Masterpiece Classic

Downton Abbey stills featuring Penelope Wilton

Downton Abbey (best known to us P&P fans as Mrs. Gardiner of the 2005 P&P film). PBS' Masterpiece classic will premiere Downton Abbey on January 9th, 2011.

Here are more airtime schedule info and synopsis for...

January 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2011 at 9pm
Downton Abbey
Set in an Edwardian country house in 1912, Downton Abbey portrays the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them. Written and created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, and starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton (as Isobel Crawley), Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, and many others.

Updated 12/11/10
Added sources/links to where I found the Downton Abbey stills featuring Penelope Wilton featured here as I forgot to include them on this post the first time I posted this. Thanks a lot to Charleybrown (of Enchanted Serenity of Period Films) for commenting here and asking me where I found those images and Michelle for the link to Charleybrown's awesome blog about period films (bookmarking this blog and linking it here as I love period films!). I've added a few more stills of PW (with the link to the source, of course!) below...

Downton Abbey stills featuring Penelope Wilton

(source: Downtown Abbey official facebook | FanPop | Shining As Stars | Period Films)

For more info. on Downton Abbey, visit its official facebook page and iTV!

Also, for additional and complete Downtown Abbey series information, visit Charleybrown's fabulous blog: Enchanted Serenity of Period Films!

More about → Downton Abbey stills featuring Penelope Wilton