'Downton Abbey' Cast: Where Are They Now? (2024)

Michelle Dockery as Mary Talbot

Michelle Dockery joined the original Downton Abbey cast as Lady Mary Talbot when the series premiered in 2010. Throughout the show's six seasons, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and three consecutive Emmy Awards.

Since the show wrapped in 2015, Dockery has appeared on TNT's Good Behavior in 2016, Netflix's Godless (where she earned her fourth Emmy nod) in 2017, Defending Jacob on Apple TV+ in 2020, and Netflix's Anatomy of a Scandal in 2022.

In 2022, Dockery returned to reprise her role as the eldest daughter of Robert the Earl of Grantham and Cora Crawley in Downton Abbey: A New Era, a sequel to the 2019 film Downton Abbey.

In 2022, Dockery signed with Decca Records alongside her Downton Abbey costar, Michael C. Fox. Together, the stars perform as the musical duo Michelle and Michael. Later that year, Dockery became engaged to her partner of three years, Isobel Waller-Bridge, brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley

In the original series, Hugh Bonneville played Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham. He earned two consecutive Emmy nominations and three Screen Actors Guild Awards while the show was on the air.

Bonneville has since appeared in 2017's Breathe, starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, and 2014's Paddington and its 2018 sequel.

He returned as Robert Crawley in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and its New Era sequel.

Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley

Dame Maggie Smith played Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham when the series first premiered in 2010. During her time on the show, Smith won three of the five Emmy Awards she was nominated for in the best supporting actress category in 2011, 2012 and 2016.

Smith enjoyed an Academy Award-winning career before the start of the series, but since its wrap in 2015, she has taken on several other notable roles.

In 2018, Smith reprised her role as Harry Potter's Professor McGonagall to voice a 2018 video game from the franchise. That same year, she also voiced Lady Bluebury in Sherlock Gnomes.

Smith played Violet Crawley in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its New Era sequel.

In 2019, the actress returned to theater in Christopher Hampton's A German Life in London at the Bridge Theater.

Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley

Elizabeth McGovern joined the original Downton Abbey cast as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham. While starring on the show, she earned nominations for an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award.

Since the conclusion of the series, McGovern has appeared in several films, including 2019's War of the Worlds — but before her Downton Abbey debut, she already had several acting credits (including her Academy Award-nominated performance in 1981's musical film Ragtime.)

She reprised her role as Cora Crawley in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its 2022 sequel.

As well as an acclaimed actress, McGovern is a musician. In 2019, she released her fifth studio album, The Truth.

Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham

In the original Downton Abbey series, Laura Carmichael played Lady Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham. It was this role that brought her worldwide recognition.

Since the series wrapped in 2015, Carmichael has appeared in the 2016 British thriller Marcella and The Secrets She Keeps in 2020.

She played Edith Pelham again in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and in its 2022 New Era sequel. Additionally, Carmichael starred in the stage production of Ava: The Secret Conversations in London from January to April 2022.

In 2021, Carmichael welcomed a son with longtime partner and Downton Abbey costar Michael C. Fox.

Jim Carter as Charles Carson

Jim Carter joined the original Downton Abbey cast as butler Charles Carson when the series first premiered in 2010. For his role, he earned four consecutive Emmy Award nominations from 2012 to 2015.

Since the series wrapped, Carter has acted in and voiced several roles, including 2017's Transformers: The Last Knight.

He reprised his role as Charlie Carson in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and its New Era sequel.

In 2019, Carter was appointed OBE Officer for services to drama.

Phyllis Logan as Elsie Carson

Phyllis Logan joined the original Downton Abbey cast as Elsie Carson when the series first premiered in 2010.

Since the series wrapped in 2015, Logan has had roles in TV and film titles such as Bones, Doctor Who and The Adventures of Paddington.

She reprised her role as Elsie Carson in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and 2022's New Era sequel.

In 2019, Logan acted in the 2020 British comedy, Misbehaviour, and in 2021, in the second season of the British drama series, Guilt.

Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates

Joanne Froggatt joined the original Downton Abbey cast as head housemaid Anna Bates when the series first premiered in 2010. She received three Emmy Award nominations for her role as the outstanding supporting actress in a drama series category.

Since then, she has voiced Wendy on Bob the Builder and starred in the 2017 biopic Mary Shelley opposite Elle Fanning.

Froggatt reprised her role as Anna Bates in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its 2022 sequel.

In February 2020, Froggatt separated from her husband of eight years, James Cannon.

Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey

Penelope Wilton played Isobel Grey, Lady Merton. On behalf of the cast, she won three of five Screen Actors Guild Awards for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series.

She reprised her role as Isobel Grey in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in A New Era.

Between 2019 and 2022, Wilton starred in the British comedy series After Life, created by Ricky Gervais. Wilton is also slated to star in Visitation, a horror thriller with a release date yet to be announced.

Brendan Coyle as John Bates

Brendan Coyle joined the Downton Abbey cast as John Bates when the series first premiered in 2010. He earned an Emmy Award nomination in the best supporting actor category for his role in 2012.

Most recently, Coyle was recruited to reprise John Bates in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its 2022 sequel.

Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow

Robert James-Collier joined the original Downton Abbey cast as footman Thomas Barrow when the series premiered in 2010. This marked one of the actor's first leading roles after landing a part on Coronation Street prior.

After the series ended, James-Collier appeared in TV and film titles such as 2016's The Level and 2017's The Ritual.

In 2019, James-Collier was featured in the third season of the British drama Ackley Bridge, and in 2021, he starred in Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga.

James-Collier reprised his role as Thomas Barrow in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its 2022 sequel.

Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker

Sophie McShera played assistant cook Daisy Parker in the series.

Following the show's finale in 2015, McShera played Drizella Tremaine in Cinderella that same year. She also appeared in a few episodes of The Queen's Gambit as Miss Graham in 2020.

McShera reprised the part of Daisy Mason in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its 2022 sequel.

Allen Leech as Tom Branson

Allen Leech played chauffeur Tom Branson in the original series.

Since the show wrapped in 2015, Leech has appeared in several titles — most notably as Paul Prenter in the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody alongside Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.

He later returned to the franchise as Tom Branson in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its sequel. Leech is slated to star in the upcoming Irish drama The Vanishing Triangle.

In 2020, Leech and his wife, fellow actress Jessica Blair Herman, welcomed their first child, and in 2022, the family expanded with the addition of a second.

Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore

Lesley Nicol joined the original Downton Abbey cast as Beryl Patmore, known as the Crawley family's "Queen of the Kitchen."

Since the series ended, she has appeared in several titles, including Supernatural and Beecham House alongside Tom Bateman.

She played Beryl Patmore in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its 2022 sequel.

In 2022, Nicol staged and starred in an original, autobiographical musical, How the Hell Did I Get Here? Nicol won an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for her performance. Nicol put the musical's North American tour on hold following the passing of her husband.

Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley

Kevin Doyle joined the original Downton Abbey cast as Joseph Molesly when the series first premiered in 2010.

Following the show's ending, he has appeared in several titles, including 2015's Happy Valley and Netflix's The Witcher in 2021.

In 2022, Doyle was featured in BBC One's drama series Sherwood, acting alongside Downton Abbey co-star Joanne Froggatt.

He returned as Joseph Molesley in the 2019 Downton Abbey film and again in its sequel.