My Downton Abbey AU cast
by DerryBean | created - 05 Dec 2013 | updated - 05 Dec 2013 | Public
1. Judi Dench
Actress | Skyfall
Dame Judi Dench was born Judith Olivia Dench in York, England, to Eleanora Olive (Jones), who was from Dublin, Ireland, and Reginald Arthur Dench, a doctor from Dorset, England. She attended Mount School in York, and studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She has performed with the ...
as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham. I was highly uncertain that I wanted to change the actress from Dame Maggie Smith because she plays the role brilliantly the way it is, but this is an AU casting, so I went ahead with the change.
2. Gary Oldman
Actor | The Dark Knight
Gary Oldman is a talented English movie star and character actor, renowned for his expressive acting style. One of the most celebrated thespians of his generation, with a diverse career encompassing theatre, film and television, he is known for his roles as Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy (1986), ...
as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. I had a time of it trying to figure out whether Gary should be Robert or James, but then I realised who would be perfect as [my head canon] James and I am happy with the end result.
3. Kim Delaney
Actress | NYPD Blue
Kim Delaney was born on November 29, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in Roxborough. She is the daughter of Joan and Jack Delaney, who retired from Delphi Automotive, where he served as a committeeman for the United Auto Workers. She has four brothers: Ed Delaney and John Delaney...
as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham.
4. Gemma Arterton
Actress | Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Gemma Christina Arterton was born in Gravesend, Kent, England, where she was raised. She is the daughter of Sally-Anne (Heap), a cleaner, and Barry J. Arterton, a welder. Her mother's cousin is singer-songwriter Eric Goulden.
Her parents divorced when she was age five, and Gemma subsequently lived ...
as Lady Mary Crawley.
5. Jenna Coleman
Actress | Victoria
Jenna Coleman is best known for her BAFTA-nominated performance as Clara in 'Doctor Who' and for playing the title role in ITV's Emmy-nominated series 'Victoria'. She was most recently seen in a lead role as Marie-Andrée Leclerc in the dark crime drama 'The Serpent' for BBC and Netflix opposite ...
as Lady Edith Crawley.
6. Phoebe Tonkin
Actress | Boy Swallows Universe
Tonkin was born in Sydney. When she was four, she attended dance courses in classical ballet, hip hop, contemporary dance, and tap dance. At the age of 12, Tonkin began courses at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) at the Wharf Theatre. Tonkin attended Loreto Kirribilli and later ...
as Lady Sybil Crawley/Branson. I wasn't sure at first if I would be all right with an Australian playing Sybil, but I keep thinking Phoebe would actually do a great job with the role.
7. Charlotte Rampling
Actress | 45 Years
Tessa Charlotte Rampling was born 5 February 1946 in Sturmer, England, to Isabel Anne (Gurteen), a painter, and Godfrey Lionel Rampling, an Olympic gold medalist, army officer, and colonel, who became a NATO commander. She was educated at Jeanne d'Arc Académie pour Jeunes Filles in Versailles, ...
as Isobel Crawley.
8. Tom Hiddleston
Actor | The Avengers
Thomas William Hiddleston was born in Westminster, London, to English-born Diana Patricia (Servaes) and Scottish-born James Norman Hiddleston. His mother is a former stage manager, and his father, a scientist, was the managing director of a pharmaceutical company. He started off at the preparatory ...
as Matthew Crawley. As much as I don't mind Dan Stevens, Tom Hiddleston can /act/ to the point where I'm convinced he's not actually acting at all. (The Matthew storyline with Dan tore my heart into pieces but apparently I want the Matthew storyline to take those pieces, skewer them, throw them into a raging fire, douse the flames, stomp on them a few dozen times, and then burn them again in an even more intense fire! .... I need a hug.)
9. Paul McGann
Actor | The Three Musketeers
Paul McGann was born on November 14, 1959 in Kensington, Liverpool, England, UK. He is an actor and director, known for The Three Musketeers (1993), Withnail & I (1987) and Alien³ (1992). He has been married to Annie Milner since 1992. They have two children.
as James Crawley. This was originally going to be Jason Isaacs, but then I realised that Paul and Rupert have more alike features, hence the change.
10. Rupert Friend
Actor | Hitman: Agent 47
Rupert William Anthony Friend is a British actor, screenwriter, director, and lyricist. He first gained recognition for his roles in The Libertine (2004) and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (2005), both of which won him awards for best newcomer. He portrayed George Wickham in Pride & Prejudice (2005)...
as Patrick Crawley.
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