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Elizabeth McGovern Down on 'Downton'

Actress blasts her own show for 'glossing over' character detail

By Corey Levitan Apr 26, 2012 9:52AM
enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com

When asked by the media about the show that currently pays their bills, most television actors are scared to profess anything other than their deep and undying admiration -- whether true or not.


Elizabeth McGovern, who stars as the countess Cora Crawley in "Downton Abbey," aired some refreshingly honest criticism of the British period drama's second season, which concluded in the U.S. in February, to the L.A. Times yesterday.


"The first season was more to my taste than the show in the second season," McGovern said, blaming her disconnect on the necessity of dealing with World War I.

 

Bing: More about Elizabeth McGovern | More about 'Downton Abbey'

 

"What's made the show successful and different is that attention to character detail, and that's what the audience likes," McGovern said. "Writers [in Season 2] had to do a lot of glossing over the domestic life, and some of the small moments between characters that characterized the first season."

 

Also: What shows will be returning next season?

 

Many critics and fans agree with McGovern's assessment, and she should be celebrated for daring to express it. But that will probably be a tall order for her colleagues on the set of the show's third season, which is currently filming in Britain.


Season 3 of "Downton Abbey," which is expected to return to its character-driven roots, premieres in England in September, and on PBS in January 2013. 
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58Comments
parisidiot
Apr 26, 2012 10:37AM
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I agree with what Elizabeth said here. Not that it doesn't mean the second season was still amazing.
enjoying downton
Apr 26, 2012 2:40PM
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Wish it were o be viewed on PBS in September as in England.
Someone
Apr 26, 2012 2:54PM
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The War did seem to drag on.... but the character attraction stayed strong if you really believed... I'm quite lonesome for them now....and yes waiting until January

2013 seems long off...nothing since can take Downton's place..boring...

 

fayemac
Apr 26, 2012 2:58PM
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Yup shes right but are they keeping the same writters? Reba McEntire said she would do anything to be on Downton. An American sister to Cara, anything. Cant wait since there hasnt been anything else on Masterpiece lately.
RandyLadd
Apr 26, 2012 3:02PM
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Downtown Abbey has me hooked better than any series since Roots! It's portrayals are intense and the characters are so fleshed out that you become one with them. I believe  I have never seen so compelling a drama. The understated comedy held in check by the stiff upper British lip is amazing and no one better than Maggie Smith shows the world how it's done ! No one and I mean NO ONE in that cast has done anything but excellent work 100% of the time. The writer's are to be highly commended. My wife insisted we view the first episode of season one and within 5 min. I was hooked. Season two brought to life WWI's horrors and the Spanish Flu's intrusion in a way few film's have ever dealt with such a subject. The changes brought about on the aristocracy and the working class are shown in a compelling manner thru day to day realizations forced upon the characters by the War's requirements. In all, I have never looked forward to a new season of any show as much as this one. Season three, if it can hold to the excellence of the past, will add icing to the best piece of cake I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.
 
JCJSQ
Apr 26, 2012 3:10PM
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How is saying that the "writers had to do a lot of glossing over", "blasting" her own show? They make it sound like she was cursing the actors, the director, the producers and the pay.
denise reilly (princess of preoria)
Apr 26, 2012 3:13PM
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FUNNY I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SERIES EXCEPT FOR THE WAY ELIZABETH ACTED- I FOUND HER FLAT AND DULL AND NOT AT ALL LIKE THE REAL LADY ALMINA MUST HAVE BEEN.  I CANT WAIT FOR THE 3RD SEASON AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERY OTHER CHARACTER PLAYED!!
dianna dillinger (PrincessDI1950)
Apr 26, 2012 3:22PM
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I love the series..wait all week just to see what will happen next..I cant wait for the next season..and Im sure that when it ends I'll be wanting more..

Does anyone know if this is from a book??I love to read and try to read all the period books I can find..Jane Austen is one of my favorites

yourkarma
Apr 26, 2012 3:36PM
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Oh good.  I thought I was the only one that found her character one dimensional.  As the Countess, her depth  was everywhere from and indulgent smile to a sympathetic frown.  The only way one would know which was which was whether she leaned her head to the left or the right.  The writing really didn't get into the character changes.   Maggie Smith will be missed.
peter olds
Apr 26, 2012 3:40PM
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WW1 is a big part of british history, almost a generation of young men was lost.

enormous casualties in very short intervals.  The only out of place things I noticed was a newer Model T truck in 1912 and in 1918 a Rolls Royce with a later style body. 

Lark54
Apr 26, 2012 3:45PM
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I read an article that said Maggie Smith said  that she's not leaving.
kelly townsend
Apr 26, 2012 3:50PM
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Not from a book but there is the book "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey" (the real story of this castle; it was used in WWI and Lady Almina was very gracious, worked with patients herself, and very loved). D/A was created by Julian Fellowes and written by Jessica Fellowes.  I LUV this show. I went to PBS online and bought the package - the dvds, music cd and book "The World of Downton Abbey" which is FABULOUs - if you luv this show, you definitely want this book too. Wonderful quality, photos, historical comments, filming comments. Soo excited Shirley McLaine joins next season. I can't BELIEVE we have to wait until Jan 2013 - you gotta be kidding ! I wouldn't say Elizabeth's acting wasn't good, but I think they (the writers & creator)  need to "warm up" her character a bit. 
efa
Apr 26, 2012 3:51PM
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There was no blast!!!!!!!!! Where did that word even come from????? I love this series and have purchased the DVD sets for both seasons. It is truly wonderful in all areas.

 

Anglofile381
Apr 26, 2012 3:53PM
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I cannot get enough of anything "English", especially this era, although I've never been able to travel to England.  Downton Abby is the best thing since Upstairs Downstairs.  I own the complete series and intend to enjoy it many times.  I've also purchased both series of "Downton", and intend to enjoy it often and add to it as long as the series continues.  I also have a serious crush on Hugh Bonneville, who has appeared in other English pieces.
4cythia
Apr 26, 2012 4:01PM
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I am an Anglophile  #1    She is  cool and Reserved, but an ok mom to the girls.   Wos  were they independent   thinkers.
Someone
Apr 26, 2012 4:03PM
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I was very disappointed that Cara did not die last season. McGovern should be very grateful that she is in a wonderful show. Don't know how she got the job. She was never a good actor, what a distraction on the show!
fbus
Apr 26, 2012 4:12PM
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love it love it love it, I can't wait for the next season
Mark Durkop (MinnesotaMark)
Apr 26, 2012 4:14PM
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I bought the British version of Season 2 on ITunes... I wonder if Season 3 can be bought the same way ....A LOT SOONER than Jan 2013?!  I hope so... :)

BoomerGal46
Apr 26, 2012 4:22PM
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Hmmmmm......let me get this straight. Ms. McGovern, who hasn't worked in YEARS THAT I  remember, blames her "disconnect" in Season 2 with the "necessity of dealing with World War I." What planet is this woman ON? The whole point of the series is how this very traditional family changes as the Titanic disaster, labor unrest, the "rising" in Ireland, World War I, and the influenza epidemic which followed. What would she have the Earl and Countess and girls DO? Ignore all the social changes, and just "party on?" PUL-EEZ!!!! I think this American ex-pat is getting snootier than her character!!! A whole LOT snootier!
PurrrfectDesigns
Apr 26, 2012 4:23PM
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I've never been to the UK, would love to go.  The minute I started watching "Downton Abbey" I was hooked.  I have only seen season one.  We have regular T.V. and finding an acurate guide is almost impossible.  The actors are amazing on this show.  A person can get so involved it seems like you are a part of it.  The era and being from Britain gives it even so much more.  I enjoy Jane Austin also and we watch "Pride and Prejudice" on DVD a lot.  Will be buying this on DVD as soon as I can.  Many thanks to all the cast and crew for this remarkable show!
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