Entertainment
The 'Downton Abbey' Cast In Real Life Will Surprise You With Their Fondness For Facial Hair
Downton Abbey is one of those rare shows that the cast contains more leading women than leading men. But that doesn't mean that the men of Downton Abbey aren't an integral part of the period drama on PBS. The women's style is more elaborate than the men's on the show, but fans have seen how things get serious if the men don't have appropriate attire of white shirt and correct jacket when it comes to dinnertime. But, for the most part, the male cast of Downton Abbey in real life are much easier to recognize when they are offscreen since their looks aren't that different on the show and in real-life. (But, there is much more facial hair.)
With Downton Abbey ending after Season 6, it's time to honor the men of Downton — onscreen and offscreen. Here are how some of the male actors look on the show and in real-life... even if their looks don't change much from the 1920s to the 2010s.
Images: ©Nick Briggs/Carnival Films 2014 for MASTERPIECE
Lord Grantham
The man behind the estate of Downton, Robert Crawley (AKA Lord Grantham) can sometimes be too conservative for my taste, but he truly loves his family and usually redeems himself at the end of each season.
Image: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2014 for MASTERPIECE
Hugh Bonneville
Hugh Bonneville doesn’t always have to be as prim and proper as Robert is, and he has shown that he can loosen up with his roles in Doctor Who and Paddington. Not to mention how he played along in the Downton Abbey spoof for a U.K. charity with George Clooney.
Charles Carson
Mr. Carson is the butler for Downton Abbey and leads the servants. The consummate professional, Mr. Carson does not tolerate when his orders aren’t heeded. He is in love now though, so I hope Downton shows us his wedding attire when he marries Mrs. Hughes!
Image: PBS
Jim Carter
Dare I say that Carson actor Jim Carter looks a bit mussed up in this photo? Just check out that unkempt hair!
John Bates
John Bates was brought on as a valet for Robert since they were old war buddies. He’s got a dark past with more than a few prison stints and can be a bit scary, but he also has a sweet side with his wife Anna.
Image: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2014 for MASTERPIECE
Brendan Coyle
I expect that in real-life Brendan Coyle is significantly less shady than Bates and, as with all of the men of Downton Abbey, he can be a little shaggier out of character.
Thomas Barrow
I hate Thomas Barrow — and not in that love-to-hate-him way. He’s a manipulative jerk that tries to undermine others, but I will say I felt sympathetic toward him when he was trying to “cure” himself of being homosexual in Season 5. As despicable as he is, he doesn’t deserve that.
Image: Nick Briggs/Carnival Films 2014 for MASTERPIECE
Rob James-Collier
Thomas was looking rough in Season 5 because of the drugs he was taking, but Rob James-Collier is much healthier looking (and much nicer looking!) out of character. Plus, look at that adorable scruff!
Tom Branson
Chauffeur turned son-in-law, Tom Branson is a kindhearted, although sometimes radical member, of the Downton family. His look has evolved slightly over the years since he went from servant to member of the Grantham family.
Image: PBS
Allen Leech
Yet again, thank the off-season gods for giving us the cast of Downton with beards. Allen Leech pulls of casual/formal oh-so-well and may be on his way to becoming a bigger star, thanks to his turn in The Imitation Game. But, don’t worry — he is returning for Downton ’s final season.
Dr. Clarkson
Dr. Clarkson has been attempting to court Isobel Crawley for awhile and the mustachioed doctor is definitely a catch. But, Matthew’s mother is dealing with the romances of Lord Merton now.
Image: PBS
David Robb
Seriously, these Downton guys love their facial hair, but I’m not complaining. David Reed doesn’t look much different out of character except for the beard and ensemble.
Anthony Gillingham
The attractive Lord Tony Gillingham probably won’t be making many more appearances (if any) on Downton Abbey now that Lady Mary officially dumped him and he went back to Mabel Lane Fox.
Image: PBS
Tom Cullen
In real-life, Tom Cullen gets to sport a beard sometimes (it must be a prerequisite for being on Downton). And he’s not hurting in the romantic department either since he’s dating my main girl, Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black .
Charles Blake
Charles Blake was another suitor of Lady Mary’s in Season 4 and confused her significantly when he kissed her in Season 5. But, since he headed out of town, he potentially opened the door for Matthew Goode’s character Henry Talbot.
Image: PBS
Julian Ovenden
British actor Julian Overden doesn’t look much different from his Downton Abbey counterpart and he hangs out with royalty too since his father is a chaplain to the Queen of England. I hope he plans on returning for Downton’s final season to confuse Lady Mary’s emotions one last time.
Matthew Crawley
Although he is no longer on the show, I will mourn the loss of Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey always and forever. His earnest nature and his beautiful eyes made me swoon. I was devastated when he was taken from the world of Downton Abbey after a car crash… on the day Mary had their son!!
Image: PBS
Dan Stevens
Dan Stevens is honestly just as dreamy as Matthew — perhaps even dreamier. He chose to leave Downton Abbey, so I was mad at the actor for awhile, but he’s going to be the Beast in the live-action Beauty and the Beast movie, so I will forgive him.
