Downton Abbey Season 2
Downton Abbey Season 2 Cast!
Are you looking for more information on Downton Abbey series two? You have come to the right place! Following the immensely popular and riveting first season of Downton Abbey in 2009 (2010 for American viewers), the riveting second series premiered in the UK in Fall 2011. The first season of Downton concluded with the announcement that World War I had begun, which has led to some considerable changes for Downton Abbey and the people who live there.
In the midst of WWI, Downton Abbey is essentially transformed from a place of wealth and opulence to a hospital for those wounded during the war in Season 2. We also see some of our favorite characters go off to war and other characters change their roles within the household given the changes at Downton itself. We also see changes in the characters themselves, as the war and its consequences are far-reaching. This continues to be a moving and entertaining series that is highly addictive if you are a fan of Period Drama!
I have very much all of the dynamics presented in Downton Abbey and it is one of the best period drama series I have ever watched -- the characters are endearing, the actors are amazing, and the scenery is breathtaking.
Below, you will find more information on Season Two in addition to a complete cast list -- updated for the second series. Enjoy!
Downton Abbey is not based on a book! The series was created by Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes.
Filming of Downton Abbey takes place at beautiful Highclere Castle located in Highclere, Newbury. For additional information on Highclere Castle please click HERE.
iTV owns all the copyrights. :)
Downton Abbey won Best Drama Series at the 2011 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards in London!
Downton Abbey won FOUR Emmy Awards in 2011, including the Best Miniseries or TV Emmy!
A Third Season of Downton!
I'm thrilled to mention that Downton Abbey will be returning with a third season this fall (UK) or early next year (US & Canada). I cannot wait to see what new drama unfolds! Can you?
Upstairs
Violet Crawley, The Dowager Countess of Grantham
As played by Dame Maggie Smith
Violet is the widow of the late Patrick Crawley, Earl of Grantham, and mother of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham and the Lady Rosamund Painswick. She is both an endearing character despite her stubborn and unyielding disposition.
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I don't dislike him, I just don't like him. Which is quite different. -Violet Crawley (2.06)
Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
As played by Hugh Bonneville
The patriarch of Downton Abbey and the son of Violet Crawley. He is the husband of Cora Crawley. Ladies Mary, Edith and Sybil are his daughters. A very likable character who loves his family.
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Cora Crawley, The Countess of Grantham
As played by Elizabeth McGovern
Cora is the wife of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham and mother of Lady Mary Crawley, Lady Edith Crawley, and Lady Sybil Crawley. An American heiress by birth she married into British nobility. She is both gentle and spunky, which makes her character a joy to watch.
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Lady Mary Crawley
As played by Michelle Dockery
The eldest Crawley daughter, Mary is fiesty and can appear quite shallow and mean at times, but she cares greatly for her family and friends. She rises to the occasion in Season 2 by nursing the wounded.
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Lady Edith Crawley
As played by Laura Carmichael
The second oldest Crawley daughter, Edith is generally quiet but has an ongoing rivalry with sister Mary which causes tension. In Season 2 she learns to drive in order to possibly help her family.
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Lady Sybil Crawley
As played by Jessica Brown-Findlay
Sybil is the youngest Crawley daughter, independent, politically minded, and very considerate. In Season 2, she decides to enlist Mrs. Patmore and Daisy for help before becoming a nurse. She also has a romance which initially displeases her family.
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Mrs. Isobel Crawley
As played by Penelope Wilton
A spunky woman who values family and education, she is not opposed to standing up for what she thinks is right, is clever, and usually speaks her mind.
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Matthew Crawley
As played by Dan Stevens
Matthew is a lawyer in Season 1 when he learns he has become the heir of Downton (a position he is not happy about). He and Mary Crawley have a tumultuous relationship. In Season 2, he is a soldier during WWI and his engagement to another woman is announced.
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Sir Richard Carlisle
As played by Iain Glenn
A new character for season 2 of Downton Abbey, Sir Richard is Mary's finance and made his money as a powerful and ruthless newspaper proprietor. Interestingly, this character was based on the real life newspaper magnate Lord Beaverbrook.
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Lavinia Swire
Zoe Boyle
Lavinia is another new character for season 2 of Downton Abbey. She is engaged to Matthew Crawley and lives in London. As is discovered by Mary Crawley, her father has had dealings with Sir Richard. Lavinia loves Matthew quite fiercely.
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Lady Rosamund Painswick
As played by Samantha Bond
The sister of Sir Robert Crawley, Lady Rosamund is a free-spirited woman who likes to meddle in her family's affairs and in series two she becomes annoyed with Mary Crawley for not exposing one of Lavinia's secrets. Despite being a meddler, she is a loyal member of the Crawley family.
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Middle Class & Downstairs
Doctor Clarkson
As played by David Robb
The local doctor who becomes a Major in the second series and started the idea that Downton could serve as a convalescent home.
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Mr. Charles Carson, Butler
As played by Jim Carter
Integral to the smooth operation of Downton Abbey, Mr. Carson is the no-nonsense butler who loves Mary Crawley like a daughter. He has worked on the estate since childhood.
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Mrs. Elsie Hughes, Housekeeper
As played by Phyllis Logan
Mrs. Hughes is the head housekeeper and she is in charge of all the female servants. More or less, she runs the entire servant branch of Downton Abbey. She isn't very emotional, but she is ethical and never two-sided.
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Anna Smith, Head Housemaid
As played by Joanne Froggatt
Anna is a sweet and caring person, she is the head housemaid and in season 1 helps conceal Mary's secret. During season 2, the man she loves (Mr. Bates) is taken away from her by his estranged wife, but she continues to hold out hope.
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John Bates, Valet
As played by Brendan Coyle
Bates knew Robert Crawley while they were both in the military, and becomes Robert's valet in season 1. During season 2, his estranged ex-wife arrives and causes problems for Bates. He is a man of high moral quality and has a strong work ethic.
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Sarah O'Brien, Lady Grantham's Lady's maid
As played by Siobhan Finneran
O'Brien is an intelligent woman with a sharp tongue and is known for her sharp tongue. She causes Cora Crawley to miscarry in season 1 when she believes she is being replaced as her lady's maid. Despite this, she befriends Lang in season 2 when she discovers that he is shell-shocked like her brother had been.
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Tom Branson, Chauffeur
As played by Allen Leech
Branson is the family's politically and interdependently minded chauffeur who develops a crush on Sybil in season 1. During season 2, he declares that he intends to make something of himself and asks Sybil to "bet on him." He does not wish to fight for the British army since he is Irish. The entire Crawley household is stunned by how things unfold between Sybil and Branson.
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Ethel Parks, Housemaid
As played by Amy Nuttall
Ethel makes her appearance in the second season of Downton as a replacement for housemaid Gwen who left to become a secretary. She is outspoken and does not like to take orders from anyone, particularly Anna. Following a scandal, Ethel is dismissed from employment by Mrs. Hughes.
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Thomas Barrow, First Footman
As played by Rob James-Collier
Thomas is a notorious character whose only friend at Downton is O'Brien, Cora's maid. During season 1 he attempts to blackmail Bates because he wants his job. When war breaks out, he attempts to save himself from the front lines by becoming a medic.
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William Mason, Second Footman
As played by Thomas Howes
[Spoiler Alert] William is kind and somewhat of a push-over which Thomas, the first footman, exploits. During season 2, William is a private who is sent to be a servant for Matthew at the front. He becomes engaged to Daisy and eventually dies from his war injuries.
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Mrs. Patmore, Cook
As played by Lesley Nicol
Mrs. Patmore is a spunky cook who is behaves as though Downton cannot function without her. In season two, she learns some disheartening news about her nephew, who disappeared on the front lines. Mrs. Patmore is an endearing character.
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Daisy Robinson, Kitchen/Scullery Maid
As played by Sophie McShera
Daisy is a young kitchen maid who is constantly under the watch of Mrs. Patmore, the cook. She has a crush on Thomas in the first season of Downton, but she develops feelings for William who proposes to her in season two.
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Mrs. Vera Bates
As played by Maria Doyle Kennedy
Vera is Mr. Bates' estranged wife who is originally mentioned in season 1 of Downton, but does not make an appearance until season 2. She arrives and demands that Mr. Bates return home with her or she will go to the press with information about Mary and Kemal Pamuk. She is stubborn and refuses to give John a divorce.
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Andrew Lang
As played by Cal Macaninch
Henry Lang is a new character for season 2, where he replaces Mr. Bates as Robert Crawley's valet. He is the son of a lady's maid which eventually leads him to bond with O'Brien after she compliments his skill as a valet.
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Molesley, Valet
As played by Kevin Doyle
Molesley is a kind and likable character, first introduced in season 1 as Matthew Crawley's valet. Although Matthew does not desire to have a valet, Molesley takes this in stride. During season 2, he becomes Robert Crawley's valet after both Bates and then Lang leave.
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Additional Characters - Minor characters in Downton Abbey Season 2
- Robert Bathrust as Sir Anthony Strallan
- Clare Calbraith as Jane Moorsum
- Paul Copley as Mr. Mason
- Jonathan Coy as George Murray
- Michael Cochrane as Reverend Travis
- Daniel Pirrie as Major Charles Bryant
- Christine Lohr as Mrs. Bird
- Cal Macaninch as Henry Lang
- Kevin McNally as Mr. Bryant
- Fergus O'Donnell as John Drake
- Christine Mackie as Mrs. Bryant
- Cathy Sara as Mrs. Drake
- Stephen Ventura as Davis
