"So Eden Sank to Grief, So Dawn Goes Down to Day..."

Amidst the excitement and building anticipation of the coming Downton Abbey season, a cloud loomed over the TCA Panel in Beverly Hills on Saturday, reminding everyone that this will be the last year the cast will appear together, this will be the last season of our beloved British period drama. With this in mind, I was desperate for the opportunity to meet my favorite cast members one final time, in spite of my mother’s side glances, eye rolls, and observations that I’m completely absurd for wanting to chase down my favorite stars (mind you this was the woman who was sorely disappointed she couldn’t come last time to meet Allen because she has a weakness for the Irish situation). And yes, fate had smiled on me the previous year and I managed to snap a few photos with Michelle, Allen, and Joanne, so I had to brace myself for the possibility that I would not be this fortunate two years in a row.

I gathered up my Downton book, I printed a new photo of Joanne because the last one she signed was damaged, and I snatched up a Sharpie, my heart pounding throughout the ridiculously long drive to Beverly Hills. Admittedly I was nervous. My earlier concerns from last year resurfaced and fears of imposing on the cast, interrupting their busy schedules, looking like a stalker, or just plain looking like an idiot swirled in my mind and my anxiety surged. Given that my anxiety barely allows me to eat without serious digestive repercussions, I entered the Hilton hotel living on a prayer and a simple banana I had managed earlier in the day.

I joined up with the girls I had met the previous year and their friends and waited in the lobby for the cast to begin their migration to the press room. I saw Gareth Neame wandering about, and considered getting a photo and his autograph on my book as well, but he swept past and I choked. Penelope Wilton was the first of the cast to pass us. A newcomer to US events, the group was eager to grab some photos, but her publicist immediately attempted to shut it down, advising the group to wait until later. In spite of this, Penelope quietly sauntered over to the group in graceful defiance and politely signed and posed for one photo, which left her publicist noticeably miffed. I was able to get her autograph in the book, but stopped at asking for a photo out of fear of angering the dreaded publicist (I’m not well-versed in autograph or photo hunting and I live in perpetual fear that these publicists can throw me out and/or kill me). After Penelope left, the group heeded the warning shot her publicist had fired and allowed Hugh, Joanne, Elizabeth, Michelle and Laura to pass by without intervening. Michelle and Joanne, who both recognized the girls instantly after years of encounters, promised to return for photos and autographs after the event.

The wait was terrible, my stomach was objecting to the lack of sustenance in spite of itself, and after rising early that morning, I was tired and struggling to stay alert for any sign of the actors. Eventually we changed location after the panel and mixer were finished and I managed to snap a very quick shot with Hugh before he dashed off as he needed to catch a plane. I didn’t want to keep him any longer in asking him to autograph my book. I returned to my post to anxiously await the rest of the cast.

Moments later, out of the corner of my eye I spotted Michelle and quickly gathered my phone and my book to snatch her if the opportunity presented itself, though she was flanked with a potentially deadly publicist and a few others I didn’t recognize. I turned and she immediately spotted me, waving enthusiastically and saying “hi!” She motioned as if she were going to pause and turn towards me, but I was unsure if I could finally approach her and didn’t immediately move toward her. I hesitated in this dance of confusion and asked meekly if she could sign now, and she said “Yeah!” I joined her, trying to arrange the book and get the damn cap off of my Sharpie, again apologizing for not being prepared (I really need to stop this rampant apologizing, but sadly it doesn’t stop here this night). As I juggled the cumbersome book and attempted to

uncap the pen, she asked how I was and said it was good to see me. Initially I thought she was being polite and reciprocated the greeting, but then she caught me off guard by noting “By the way, thank you so much for your support on Instagram, I really appreciate it!” I froze and became vaguely aware of the fact that my face had dropped momentarily into a look of utter shock. My heart certainly stopped; I was about to shout out a demand for a defibrillator. I’m not going to lie, I was fangirling hard at this point. “You know that was me?!” I stammered, finding my voice. “Yeah!”  she exclaimed. Of course she was referring to a debate I had engaged in with homophobic fans after she posted a pro-gay marriage photo on her account, but I had never imagined she even read through the hundreds of comments posted on her pictures, let alone would be able to identify any of the posters in a crowd. “Well thank you, I don’t mean to start too many arguments on there…” I said. “Oh no of course not!” she said incredulously, “don’t worry, some people, you know, they just use it as a forum, so…” She trailed off as she began signing the book. I thanked her for the autograph and asked her for a photo. “Yeah absolutely!” she agreed, and there I was again, fumbling, apologizing, trying to retrieve the phone from my pocket and setting up the camera app. Thankfully Michelle asked Victoria, Lady Publicist to take the photo. Victoria politely obliged and snapped a few shots. I thanked Victoria, and thanked Michelle again for her time. “Thank you, and enjoy season 6!” she called back as she began to walk away. “Oh I will! Enjoy your evening!” I called after her.

I put my stuff down, still trembling somewhat from the encounter, and saw the rest of the group approach her as she neared the elevators. I meandered toward them and took a few more pictures as she posed with the girls and their friends. She signed a few pictures and I kept my distance to allow her and the other fans their space as they joked about a YouTube video the girls had been

caught in with Michelle. Meanwhile, I stood beside Victoria and gathered that she may be one of those non-lethal publicists. I had read an article from the UK magazine Women and Home about her and the Downton publicity team, outlining the tireless work they put into bringing the face of DA to the world (sadly Una and Jessica were nowhere to be found). I decided to ask her for a photo as well. “Victoria, I know this is kind of weird, but can I take a picture with you for my blog?” I asked tentatively. “Sure!” she said and immediately put her arm around me for a picture. After we verified that the photo wasn’t blurry, because I’m still shaking at this point, I watched Michelle and her team drift off to the elevators, but not before Michelle turned one more time and waved goodbye to me. I could not have selected a better Fake TV wife. As one of the girls continually pointed out for the remainder of the evening, I had a smile plastered on my face, and still do as I’m writing this and recounting the course of events.

We eventually wandered back to one of our posts and immediately spotted Joanne standing outside of the ballroom where the conference and mixer had taken place. She was speaking to someone, possibly in an interview, and we waited, glancing around in every other direction, trying our best not to look like vultures waiting to swoop in and strike at first chance. As she finished up, she slowly crossed the hallway toward us, trying not to look presumptuous but knowing we were there for her nonetheless. Everyone took their photos with her and I moved in as the last. She complimented my blouse and I got her autograph and a photo, again apologizing because the first time I pushed the button, the picture didn’t take, and of course all technological mis-firings in the world are undoubtedly my fault. Let it be

known at this stage in my life I have owned the fact that I am a Grade A Dork and there’s nothing more that can be done about it. Joanne was of course, as sweet as could be, as she has always been. I thanked her for her time and she wandered off to the elevators to return to her room.  Elizabeth exited next, and much like Hugh, conversation was minimal, a please for an autograph, a thank you for a picture, though she briefly spoke with the girls as they suggested a Sadie and the Hotheads concert in LA,  and then she was on her way.

My stomach was loudly protesting at this point, but Laura had not yet emerged from the ballroom. I opted to wait, because, if you recall, I had missed her last year after deciding the Elephant Charge would not serve in my favor. Of course, as we know by now, Edith cannot be relied upon in many respects, and Laura exited from an alternative door closer to the elevators. In a moment’s notice, I made a decision. This was the last year. I wanted to meet Laura. I was going to meet Laura. The chase was on. In a futile attempt to rush across the lobby inconspicuously, I resigned to a full on stampede, ducking into a narrow opening  between a wall

and a PBS sign, zipping behind couches and patrons, and I finally slowed after realizing I would cross her path before she entered the elevator hallway. Perfect. No call to the police this year. Thank god, those cavity searches can be so invasive. I approached her and asked for an autograph and a photo, which she graciously agreed to. Yet again, awkward discoordination set in and I struggled to get the book and pen for her to sign and yes, apologizing…and apologizing…fuck me. She continued to reassure me, saying “it’s okay, no worries, it’s alright!” but this did little to settle me as I knew I was imposing on the remainder of her evening, whatever it may hold. I did the even less coordinated switch to the camera phone (it’s really hard to manage both an autograph and a photo in these situations!), and snapped a shot. I thanked her profusely, and she rushed off to the elevator, passing over the girls in my group apologizing and saying she had to go.

Finally, exhausted, malnourished, and completely elated, I sashayed away with what was quickly becoming my trademark idiotic grin, and prepared to set off on home, navigating the gridlock of

the Los Angeles freeway system. I went to get my parking validated, and as luck would have it, as I set off in the direction of the parking garage, I spotted Penelope exiting the hotel, on her way to catch a plane. I stopped her and requested a quick photo. Again I found her to be soft-spoken and almost delicate. I became immediately grateful of the nervous voice I had been employing all night, a voice that finds itself fractions above an audible decibel (and which is also known as my “calm yo’ ass down” therapist voice), because I was suddenly concerned of overwhelming the poor woman if I spoke too loudly or made any sudden movements. She agreed and posed with me, then smiled as she wished me a good evening and I wished her a safe flight.

The night was a huge success. I was and am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have been given to meet this wonderfully talented cast before the close of the show. I expect they will all go on to great things and grace many more events in Tinseltown with appearances, but I’m not sure my stomach can handle it. Only time will tell, but I must extend my gratitude to the cast for being more than accommodating, understanding, patient, and utterly sweet in every respect of the word. So thank you, and I’m sorry…er-I mean…DAMN IT!

Signatures L-R: Michelle, Laura, Allen, Joanne, Elizabeth, and Penelope

Perfection

There were many amazing photos taken from the TCA Panel this weekend, following are a few favorites, but to see more HQ pics, please visit the Far Far Away Gallery HERE

Downton Abbey Cast Reveals Last Season Details

By Julie Miller for Vanity Fair

With two weeks of filming remaining on Downton Abbey, cast members Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Hugh Bonneville, Joanne Froggatt, Elizabeth McGovern, and Penelope Wilton traveled to Los Angeles to tease the drama’s final season to the Television Critics Association on Saturday. The cast had already said goodbye to locals, Highclere Castle, and a few cast members whose storylines had ended, and the mood onstage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was bittersweet. But the famously tight-lipped cast, perhaps feeling a bit nostalgic, seemed to be more forthcoming about plot details of the upcoming season than in years past.

“The final season very much has a flavor of the end of an era,” Bonneville shared. About an hour earlier, Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame told us privately that the entire series has indeed been about the end of an era but “that concept comes in really sharply in the final season. It is just accelerating the idea that Downton Abbey can't continue the way it has so the idea of scaling down and downsizing becomes more and more clear.”

Bonneville surprised press by describing one pivotal scene in the last episodes that seems to be a major turning point for his character, Lord Grantham, who has been the most resistant to change along with Jim Carter’s Carson and Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess.

“We visit a neighbor in the county who literally has to sell the estate's silver. . . this once [great] estate is being fragmented,” Bonneville said. “Robert, the dinosaur that he has been this time. . does adapt. . does see that change is necessary. He wants to conserve the best of the past but absolutely understands that the future beckons.”

Season-six footage reaffirmed the theme, showing Lord Grantham pressure Carson to downsize the staff. Carson reminds him that Downton started with six footmen and five housemaids. Now, Carson says, there are only two footmen and housemaids and no kitchen maids at all. Grantham, a fire lit under him apparently after seeing his neighbor sell off his cutlery, harrumphs, “Who has an underbutler these days?”

While answering one of our questions, Neame revealed something that felt, to us at least, like a major clue to the show’s final scenes. “Sometimes people lose their jobs,” he told us, “and have to go out and find another job. It doesn't come across as sad in the show but it will hopefully make it feel like an ending and we will get to the final episode and the camera will drift away and that is the last time we will ever see [those characters].”

Neame emphasized that the final season won't be as depressing as it sounds because the downsizing serves as a backdrop, and the footage shown to press does have its share of light moments. Lady Mary, her haircut shorter and her waistlines longer than ever before, makes more deliciously cutting comments about Lady Edith, who is galavanting around London. The middle Crawley sister seems to have moved to the big city, assumed full control of Gregson’s company, and resigned herself to her relatively hapless fate.

“Sometimes I feel like I've been given one little bit of happiness and that will do,” she tells Aunt Rosamund, who dutifully reminds Edith of her daughter Marigold. (By the way, when the series resumes in 1925, Dockery dished that “Mary is still in the dark about Marigold [being Edith’s daughter] because she just doesn't take enough interest in people’s lives.”)

When Mary, who has taken more control over the family estate, isn't complaining about Edith’s big-city whereabouts and “wretched” new suitor, she receives letters from Branson, who is stationed in Boston but has teary dreams about Downton—suggesting that he and Sybbie might return. Anna discusses cobbling together a wedding dress for Hughes. Cora and Daisy work together to try to solve a vague problem. The Dowager Countess cuts down Isobel, per usual, in a business meeting while wearing an exquisitely bejeweled new hat. (Small victories.) Carson bristles when Hughes suggests he start calling her by her first name at Downton since they are engaged. (“But we're at work,” he shudders.) And in perhaps the most jarring snippet of footage shown, at least from Carson’s perspective, Robert and Cora sneak into the kitchen, marvel at the new refrigerator, and fix themselves a snack. If the Lord and Lady of Downton Abbey making themselves a midnight snack doesn't signal the end of an era, we're not quite sure what does.

In our discussion with Neame, the executive producer said that historical events don't play as much of a role in the final episodes as they have in the past. “They're less significant in the last season, just as there are fewer guest stars, because the focus is on the household.” Neame was careful to say that although there will be “some shocks and surprises and things that don't quite turn out as you'd expect,” he and series creator Julian Fellowes scripted the final season with fans in mind and were very conscious in trying to “not piss them off.”

Neame maintained that he and Fellowes are “definitely considering a film” that would pick up after the finale’s events. He said that Fellowes would be able to write the film’s screenplay while juggling his NBC period drama The Gilded Age. And if there is a spin-off series, it sounds as though it would be a prequel—but as Neame mentioned multiple times, no further Downton Abbey plans have been cemented. For now, the cast said, they are just focusing on completing the series.

“We finished at Highclere a couple weeks ago,” Bonneville told press about the estate that doubles as Downton. “In fact we celebrated when we finished in the dining room because the longest scenes take place there. We had a team photo in there.”

“It was very strange saying goodbye to the castle,” Carmichael added, “because it felt like in a split second it wasn't our home anymore. And of course it was never our home,” she laughed. “It was Highclere Castle. And the second they yelled cut that day, you realized it was just pretend.”

“Laura and I wandered around for the last time. . . we didn't want to leave,” Dockery said. “We went and sat on Matthew's bench.”

“And we had a good cry,” revealed Carmichael.

The waterworks will likely resume on August 15 when Downton Abbey finishes the last of its filming on a sound stage overseas. The tears, for fans, will begin sometime after the series returns in the U.S. on January 3.

Family Vacation

The Crawleys set out to LA for the TCA Panel this past Thursday and Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery shared these gems via Instagram, which omniously warn of a less than stellar trip.

"Crawley Family Holiday, en route to LA for the TCAs"-Laura

"Don't talk to me." -Michelle

"Shh, I'm reading..." - Laura

"We are the Dreamers of Dreams"...the Magic Behind the Scenes

And the torture continues as stars of DA posted numerous gut-wretching photos of the crew in the wake of the final days of filming, and it shouldn't be lost on audiences that it requires so much more than a few talented actors and a writer to make a show. There is a small army of workers gracing the set every day, all day, for several months each and every year. These people have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into realizing the words on the page of a script and sculpting the very intricate world of Downton Abbey for our televisions. It goes without saying that their efforts proved efficacious. Thank you.

L: Dan and Amir, Cameras; R: Jim, Boom Operator

L: Team AD (audio?); R: Chris Croucher, Producer

L: Bobby and Foggy, grips; R: Bobby and Milos

Something Fowl is Afoot at the Abbey

So lately in searching for photos chronicling the darkest last days of Downton, I came across an Instagrammer Mini_Heather who somehow manages fantastic on-set shots, but even more humorous are the fowl antics she engages in with the crew and cast. In what is very much Michelle/Little Lady Mary style, Heather has toted this adorable stuffed owl, named Plockton on her many treks and documented his (her?) travels with her. His (or her) conquests have led him to the town of Downton, and this little bird has been rubbing talons with the biggest (and coolest) stars who were clearly more than willing to pose with the small chap...well, in the fashion of awkward and poorly coordinated selfies, Mary was kind of forced into it, Molesley initially appeared caught off guard, and the keen animal perked his ears to eavesdrop on Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes before they finally skirted over to strike a pose with him...I couldn't pass this up so here are some of the best of Plockton. To visit her page, click here. To enlarge, click the photos.

Emmy Nods!

Of course our beloved Downton has racked up a few nominations again at this year's Emmy Awards as nominations were announced last week. Sadly the Fake TV wife was not included in this list, however Joanne Frogatt secured a nomination again, as did Jim Carter. Of course, we know what Jo and Jim look like and we've seen their talents grace our small screens every Sunday night for the last 5 years, but what about the people behind the camera who provide the crucial elements that help carry us away into this period drama?

Below are the Costume Design Team, the Hairstyling Team, and the Sound Man, whom strangely enough was included on the Official Downton Abbey Instagram, but excluded from the above photo posted on the same instagram account...but his name is David Lascelles. All photos taken from DA's official IG