Three new cast members have been announced to join series 5 of Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning hit drama Downton Abbey.
Richard E. Grant will be taking on the role of Simon Bricker, a guest of the Granthams who visits Downton Abbey, while Rade Sherbedgia is to play a Russian refugee called Kuragin who has fled the Russian revolution following the events of the First World War.
Rounding out the additions is the fantastic Anna Chancellor playing the mysterious Lady Anstruther.
Downton’s Executive Producer Gareth Neame, the Managing Director of Carnival Films, said, “We are delighted to welcome these talented actors to the world of Downton. The characters they play are set to bring yet more excitement and intrigue to the show."
Also present in this series will be Dame Harriet Walter, reprising her role as Lady Shackleton alongside Lord Flintshire, played by Peter Egan.
The series is expected to air toward the back-end of this year, and a 2014 Christmas special has been confirmed with a feature length episode.
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