What the Stars of "Downton Abbey" Look Like in Real Life
What the Stars of "Downton Abbey" Look Like in Real Life
We've said our final goodbyes to our favorite Yorkshire estate, and gone are the chances to ogle the cast's amazing period costumes every Sunday. Curious to see the stars of Downton's upstairs and downstairs in modern garb? Browse on...
Violet Crawley: Maggie Smith
As the Dowager Countess, Smith's character pairs her a stiff upper lip with an equally curated wardrobe — that's always proper, never too trendy (unlike her granddaughters), and always well-accessorized. Off screen, this legendary actress looks as relaxed and comfy on the red carpet as the rest of us might be at a family get together.
Robert Crawley: Hugh Bonneville
As Earl of Grantham, Bonneville may don full-on proper formal attire (capes, bow ties and dinner jackets), but in real life, he isn't too shy to rock a hot pink tie. Who hasn't been grinning over this guy sinceNotting Hill and his amateur theater experience?
Cora Crawley: Elizabeth McGovern
Offscreen, McGovern leaves the picture-perfect finger waves at Downton and styles her cute side-swept lob in a thoroughly modern way.
Mary Crawley: Michelle Dockery
With blunt, chin-length bobs coming back in style, Dockery's Lady Mary is right on trend, but definitely opts for less furs, baubles and head gear. Along with quite a different wardrobe off set, the actress also has quite a different accent — have a listen.
Edith Crawley: Laura Carmichael
Everyone's favorite underdog, Lady Edith finally found happiness by the series' end and evolved from the mousier sister to a fashion plate of her own running a leading women's magazine (yay!). In real life, Carmichael is definitely not a spinster, often hitting the red carpet with her lob in glossy beach waves and sporting shimmery make-up and often some break-your-neck heels.
Rose Aldridge: Lily James
Leave it to the woman who played the title character in Cinderella to look like royalty both onscreen and off. While her off-the-shoulder striped gown may not have quite fit in in the Downton days, it harkens to the elegant ballgown styles of the era. And who caught James with brown hair on the cover of Town & Country? Almost unrecognizable!
Beryl Patmore: Lesley Nicol
With her lovely red blowout and statement necklace, Lesley Nicol is nearly unrecognizable from her dowdier (but so lovable!) cook counterpart.
Thomas Barrow: Rob James-Collier
While he doesn't dress too differently from his once-conniving character Thomas Barrow (minus the bowler, of course), James-Collier seems a whole lot warmer on the red carpet than on the show.
Tom Branson: Allen Leech
Wearing a tailored suit, crisp tie, and neat haircut, Leech looks nearly identical to his character. The only big difference: He's got a whole lot more scruff in real life.
Charles Carson: Jim Carter
Without a cream-colored waistcoat and slicked-back 'do, Carter looks like quite the silver fox.
Elsie Hughes: Phyllis Logan
Mrs. Hughes, is that you? With a fresh shoulder-length hairstyle and bolder lipstick, Logan looks like anything but the help.
Anna Bates: Joanne Froggatt
You probably would never catch Anna Bates in a sunny strapless gown, but Joanne Froggatt dons hers expertly on the red carpet, along with a sleek, pin-straight blonde style and radiant makeup. (Also, she looked absolutely fabulous in a recent fashion spread in Good Housekeeeping.)
John Bates: Brendan Coyle
While he looks great in his tuxedo on its own, we can't help but wish Coyle might rock a bowler on the red carpet someday.
Daisy Mason: Sophie McShera
It's definitely the downstairs crew that looks the most different, huh? By the show's end, Daisy finally ditched the ho-hum cap for a sleek bob — we imagine this off-the-shoulder number would've turned Alfred's head.
Joseph Molesley: Kevin Doyle
Perhaps Doyle took a page out of his character's book when he opted to wear a smart bow tie on the red carpet. Molesley's days in a dapper livery are numbered now that he's a teacher though.
Spoiler alert: No matter the time period, they're a handsome crew.