‘Downton’ star reveals how they’re filming sequel safely during Covid

Phyllis Logan has explained how the current Covid-19 restrictions are affecting the Downton Abbey 2 shoot.

The 65-year-old Scottish actress played Mrs Hughes (now Mrs Carson) in every episode of ITV’s hit period drama series.

She’ll be returning in the much-anticipated sequel to 2019’s first Downton movie.

The new movie started filming in England in April, directed by someone who’s very closely connected to the show!

Speaking to ITV’s Lorraine, Phyllis Logan has revealed how the cast and crew are staying safe on set during the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “We’re being COVID tested about three times a week. I’ve already had my second jab, hurrah! Lots of us had the jab and I’ve had my two. You must be number one at least!”

Logan continued: “We have to wear these peculiar masks. It’s like a perspex screen that goes up, but it’s attached to a collar that goes around your neck.”

She joked: “We call it the actor’s cone of shame – it’s really weird walking about like that! It’s because you can’t put a normal mask on and wig. The men have ones that fit on like a mask.”

Cast members Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) and Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) were spotted with these masks on while filming in the Essex coastal town of Harwich this week.

Hinting at what Downton fans should expect in the sequel, Logan teased: “It’s all going terribly well. We’re all thrilled to be doing it again.”

She also confirmed that the main regular cast are all returning, and spoke about some of the new cast members who’ve joined the movie.

She said: “It’s the usual band of course. Plus, we’ve got some wonderful newbies which I am allowed to tell you.

“We have the wonderful French actress Nathalie Baye, we have Dominic West, we have Hugh Dancy, we have the lovely Laura Haddock coming to join us this time around.”

Downton Abbey 2 will be released in cinemas on Wednesday 22nd December.

In the meantime, you can see several former Downton stars back on our TV screens right now.

Lily James (Lady Rose) is starring in the BBC’s Pursuit of Love adaptation, while Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) appears in new Amazon drama Solos.

Downton Abbey: The Complete Collection box set is available on DVD on Amazon.