Dan Stevens reveals if he was ever REALLY going to be in ‘Downton’ movie
Downton star Dan Stevens has followed up on the rumour that he would return as Matthew.
The 37-year-old English actor sent fans into a frenzy in 2018 when he posted a reunion photo online shortly before production began on the Downton Abbey movie.
Stevens shared the picture of himself with co-stars Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) and Allen Leech (Tom Branston).
Fuelling the excitement, he wrote the caption: “Should Matthew have a mustache for the #DowntonAbbeyMovie…? Vote below…”
As fans will now know, Stevens ultimately did not appear in the movie version of ITV’s period drama series when it was released last autumn.
The Beauty and the Beast star shot to fame in the first three seasons of Downton as Lady Mary’s love interest, Matthew Crawley.
While nearly all the show’s main cast reprised their roles in the Downton Abbey movie, it was always unlikely we’d see Matthew again as the character was brutally killed off in 2012’s Christmas special just after Mary gave birth to their baby son.
That didn’t stop fans speculating that Stevens would perhaps appear in a surprise cameo, most likely in a flashback scene or a dream sequence – or even as a ghost!
The actor has now revealed, however, that he doesn’t think there was ever much chance of Matthew being in the movie.
Stevens told The Hollywood Reporter: “I would suggest the answer [to whether Matthew had been likely to feature] would be ‘not very’.”
He added: “But yeah, I don’t see how that would have happened, really. Yeah, that’s a Julian Fellowes question.”
Ah well, maybe in the sequel!
The first Downton Abbey movie is now available to watch on the HBO channel on Amazon Prime.
Even better, you can currently sign up for a 7-day free trial here!
The HBO channel also includes acclaimed series like Big Little Lies, Game of Thrones, Band of Brothers, and Chernobyl.
Plans for a second Downton film are already underway and filming is expected to begin next year.
As for his future plans, Dan Stevens is keen to explore more comedy roles.
He recently starred in Netflix’s Eurovision movie, alongside Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams.
Watch a clip:
Discussing his role in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, he said: “I’m a huge fan of Will Ferrell, always have been. This was just so much fun and so silly. It’s a pretty joyous film, I think. It’s just pure silliness.”
Stevens commented: “I love getting my teeth into comedy, and it’s something I’m looking to do more of – a musical comedy, especially.”
Could we see Dan Stevens appear alongside fellow former Downton star Lily James in the third Mamma Mia film?
The Downton Abbey movie is available on DVD on Amazon.