Julian Fellowes will not recast Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey if Dan Stevens leaves
The writer says casting a new actor as Matthew Crawley would 'not be right'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Julian Fellowes has said he will not cast another actor in the role of Matthew Crawley if rumours that actor Dan Stevens is leaving Downton Abbey before the end of series four are true.
Creator Julian Fellowes told The Telegraph: “I don’t think it’s ever going to be right to recast a different actor for the same character in Downton. You can do it with something like Sherlock Holmes and Watson, as they are very established and iconic, and many people have played them, so you have a kind of freedom. But, in a series like Downton, it wouldn’t be right.
“You want viewers to think that it is kind of real, and changing actor would be like saying, 'Hey, guys, it is not real at all’, and lose the show some of its authenticity.”
The Oscar-winning screenwriter added: “Actors leave – and of course I can’t control that – but new characters and plotlines will weather such changes best.”
A spokesman for the ITV programme declined to say whether Stevens has undergone a change of heart since he said he would leave in October. His role as the heir to the Earl of Grantham and the saviour of the estate’s finances would make his departure problematic for Fellowes.
Filming of the new series of Downton Abbey is due to start in February 2013.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments