Shirley Maclaine to star in Downton Abbey
Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Shirley MacLaine (Bernie, In Her Shoes, Terms of Endearment, The Apartment) will join the cast of Downton Abbey when they begin filming on series three next month.
In a deal brokered by ICM International Creative Management, Shirley will be playing new character Martha Levinson, Lady Grantham’s mother.
Shirley MacLaine’s illustrious career comprises more than 50 feature films highlighted by an Academy Award® win and six nominations, six Emmy® Awards nominations and seven Golden Globe® Awards, including the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.
She is also an international best-selling author for her 2008 book, “Sage-Ing While Age-Ing” followed by her latest New York Times best-seller, “I’m Over All That – And Other Confessions,” released on April 5th, 2011.
Carnival Films’ Managing Director, Gareth Neame said, “My late grandfather directed Shirley MacLaine in Gambit in 1966 so it is a delight for me that she will be joining us on Downton Abbey. Julian has written another brilliant character in Martha Levinson, who will be a wonderful combatant for Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess and we are excited at the prospect of Shirley MacLaine playing her.”
Laura Mackie, Director of Drama at ITV said, "It is so exciting to have an actress of Shirley MacLaine's stature joining our brilliant Downton Abbey cast for series three and a tribute to the show's success on both sides of the Atlantic".
The first series of Downton Abbey premiered on ITV in the U.K. and on MASTERPIECE on PBS in the U.S. to critical acclaim and collected a number of awards including six Primetime Emmys®, a Golden Globe® and a Producers Guild Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television.
The second series increased its audience by 20% in the U.K. and is currently transmitting in the U.S. with an increase of almost 30%.
Downton Abbey, written and created by Julian Fellowes, is a Carnival/Masterpiece co-production. The producer is Liz Trubridge and the executive producers are Gareth Neame, Managing Director, Carnival Films, Julian Fellowes and Rebecca Eaton, Masterpiece.
Downton's Awards so far:
2011 Golden Globes:
- Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
2011 Primetime Emmy Awards:
- Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie 2011
- Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special 2011 – Julian Fellowes
- Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special 2011 – Brian Percival
- Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie 2011 - Maggie Smith
Creative Arts Emmy Awards:
- Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie 2011 - David Katznelson, Director of Photography
- Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special 2011 - Susannah Buxton, Costume Designer; Caroline McCall, Assistant Costume Designer
Producers Guild Awards:
- David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television
- National Television Awards 2012:
- Best Drama
Other Awards earned to date:
- Best Mini-Series, Fiction Rockies Awards.
- Best Director: Fiction, Brian Percival, BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2011
- Best Sound: Fiction, BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2011
- Best Drama Series, Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2011
- Julian Fellowes, Writer’s Award, Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2011
- Best Drama Series, TRIC Awards 2011