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40 Things You Didn't Know About Downton Abbey

Cosmopolitan

December 24, 2017 at 12:30 PM

1) A real family lives in the castle where the show was filmed.

2) The series was inspired by popular American shows.

3) <i>Downton Abbey</i> isn't the only production to film at Highclere Castle.

4) Gillian Anderson turned down a role on the series.

5) The servant's quarters scenes were filmed on a soundstage.

6) Laura Carmichael was working in a doctor's office when she got the part.

7) And she almost turned down the role of Lady Edith.

8) The show was an almost instant success.

9) Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville had been "married" before 'Downton.'

10) There was only one bedroom set.

11) Each episode cost more than a million Euros to make.

12) Jessica Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil, almost wasn't an actress.

13) Julian Fellowes named a character after a relative.

14) Casting was extremely easy for some of the main roles.

15) The costumes smelled terrible.

16) Some of the outfits are actually from the 1910s and 1920s.

17) Madame Tussauds celebrated the show in 2011.

18) Jim Carter is an amateur magician.

19) The food you saw on screen was real.

20) Maggie Smith wouldn't watch the show while it was on.

21) One cast member is related to real-life royalty.

22) Queen Elizabeth II was a big fan.

23) The collars of the men's shirts were uncomfortable.

24) Elizabeth McGovern is in a band.

25) There are real antiques in the castle.

26) Dan Stevens was a judge for the Man Booker Prize.

27) He's also the editor of an online magazine.

28) The height difference between Matt Milne and Lucille Sharp was huge.

29) Michelle Dockery can sing.

30) Lily James and Sophie McShera worked together on another project.

31) Rob-James Collier was inspired to become an actor after watching 'The Office'.

32) That devastating car crash could have taken two characters from us.

33) Brendan Coyle changed his name.

34) It's been compared to 'Breaking Bad.'

35) Cora wasn't created to appeal to Americans.

Here are 40 things you didn't know about Downton Abbey.

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