Hugh Returns To Highclere

The much-anticipated big-screen version of the TV phenomenon, Downton Abbey, is here. Hugh Bonneville, who stars in the movie, filmed at Berkshire’s beautiful Highclere Castle, reveals all

- Jason Adams

Have you seen the Downton Abbey movie yet? The film is set in 1927, and King George V and Queen Mary visit Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle in Newbury, Berkshire), causing a stir among the Crawleys and servants alike. Many of the original cast return, including Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton.

Here, Hugh Bonneville talks about stepping back into the shoes of Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham, the impact that being in Downton has had on his life, why he thinks the show has been such a success plus whether he’d like to return for another movie…

How was it, returning to the role of Robert Crawley?

It was lovely. It was like putting on a very familiar sweater, you know where the holes are and you know where the patches are and it’s very comfortable. So it was great. It was like one of those school reunions that actually goes well. Because some school reunions are ghastly and you think: “Who is that person? I never knew them anyway.” But this was a very happy reunion.

Does it get you back into a certain way of being?

Yeah, it does actually. I don’t normally wear suits, so it’s made me up my sartorial game. And when you’re doing the show again, you’re wearing these stiff collars for the dinner scenes; they are like razor blades, so it does make you sit up. And I don’t put my hands in my pockets as much as I used to, that sort of thing. So yeah, it does take you back into a certain way of carrying yourself. And I don’t normally talk in good sentences, no. [laughs, joking]

Was getting the cast to reunite a bit like getting the band back together?