George Clooney seals his Downton role with a kiss
George Clooney
Actress Laura Carmichael attends the "Downton Abbey" Los Angeles photo call held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, California. Photo credit: Tommaso Boddi/WireImage
Julian Fellowes, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Lesley Nicol and Gareth Neame attending an exclusive charity screening of Downton Abbey at the Empire cinema in London. Photo: Ian West/PA Wire
Laura Carmichael and Jim Carter attending an exclusive charity screening of Downton Abbey at the Empire cinema in London. Photo Ian West/PA Wire
Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael has revealed Hollywood hunk George Clooney will be seen planting a kiss on Dame Maggie Smith during his guest appearance with the cast.
Oscar-winner Clooney has a role in a specially filmed Downton sketch to be screened for an ITV charity appeal later this year.
Carmichael – who plays Lady Edith – said the cast were unsure whether he would actually take part until he arrived on set.
“We didn’t even know if it would actually happen until he turned up,” she told ITV’s This Morning.
“We were filming away and then heard ‘He’s here, he’s here, he’s arrived’. But he was wonderful and so brilliant and I’m very excited for everyone to see it.”
When news of Clooney’s role emerged last week, programme bosses kept a lid on details including the names of stars with whom he would share a scene. But Carmichael has now told how he will be seen with the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie), who swoons during their encounter.
“There is a very brilliant moment with Maggie and George – I don’t know if I want to give away any more than that – but George plants a kiss and Maggie ends up on the floor, it’s wonderful.”
hnews@herald.ie
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