Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 13, 2025 · Entertainment

Downton Abbey's Downstairs Stars Snub NY Premiere: Treated Like Servants?

From left to right: Joanne Froggatt, Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern attend the New York Premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale on September 8

DOWNTON ABBEY DRAMA: CAST FEUD ERUPTS OVER US PREMIERE

In a shocking exposé, insiders are spilling the tea on the explosive tensions between the Downton Abbey cast and their American fans. It seems that US audiences have been showing some rather... shall we say, "unrefined" behavior towards the show's beloved downstairs characters.

According to sources close to the production, it appears that American viewers just don't give a hoot about the likes of Mrs. Patmore, Mr. Carson, and Daisy the scullery maid. In fact, they're so enamored with the aristocratic Crawleys – Lord Grantham, Lady Sybil, and the rest – that they've been making it clear to the show's stars who matters most.

Many of the best-loved cast members did not make the US trip, including Lesley Nicol (pictured) who plays cook Mrs Patmore

The New York premiere of Downton Abbey's final film outing was supposed to be a star-studded affair, but what transpired was more like a royal coronation. The actors who play the downstairs crew were noticeably absent from the red carpet, and those who did attend looked like they'd just rolled out of bed.

A source close to the production revealed that the hair, make-up, and costume teams were given explicit instructions not to bother too much with the actors playing the servants. "It was like they were an afterthought," said the insider. "The ones playing the Crawleys, on the other hand, were treated like royalty – they got the full works: glamorous hairstyles, perfect makeup, and exquisite costumes."

But what really sparked the drama was when some of the cast members expressed their disgust at being treated as second-class citizens. Lesley Nicol, who plays Mrs. Patmore, declined to attend the US premiere, citing her disappointment with the lack of attention paid to the downstairs crew. "I didn't see the point," she said in a statement. "The Americans all think we're just servants."

Many cast members decided to snub the New York premiere despite coming out in force for the earlier UK gala (pictured)

Jim Carter, who played the esteemed Mr. Carson for eight seasons, also skipped the event, and it's understood that several other members of the downstairs cast followed suit.

But what about those actors playing the beloved aristocrats? They were out in force, looking like a million bucks. Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, was seen beaming with pride alongside his on-screen wife Elizabeth McGovern, who wore a show-stopping pink-and-orange sequined gown that left everyone else in awe.

Michelle Dockery, the radiant Lady Mary Crawley, dazzled in a stunning black Dolce & Gabbana frock, while Laura Carmichael, the lovely Lady Edith, looked demure yet elegant in her beige wrap dress. It was clear who the real stars of the show were – and it wasn't the downstairs crew.

When asked for comment, ITV and NBC Universal declined to respond, but sources close to the production confirmed that the tension between the cast members and their American fans is still simmering.

So there you have it – the drama behind the scenes of Downton Abbey's US premiere. It seems that when it comes to matters of class and privilege, some people just can't help themselves from showing their true colors.

TheScholarlyNote.com