And is anyone still back at the big manor house helping to keep things ship-shape?
That'll be just one of the intriguing questions down on Sea Island Feb. 4-6. That's when the swank resort on the Georgia coast is throwing its third annual "Downton Abbey-Inspired Weekend." With the wildly popular PBS series ending after this current season. It's also the last time Sea Island plans to host one of these events where fans get to immerse themselves in "Downton"-iana and even mingle with some cast members.
And they’re going out on a high note, bringing in actress Phyllis Logan, who plays Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper at the manor who’s beloved by viewers and Carson the butler alike. She’ll be joined there by castmates Kevin Doyle (aka Molesley, the somewhat hapless footman) and Michael Fox (Andy Parker, the newest footman at Downton, who was first seen last season in a London-set episode, being dragged to a pub by the utterly unladylike ladies maid Miss Denker).
It’s the second consecutive year Doyle’s shown up on Sea Island. And why not? The Cloister, where all of the events take place, is a fabulous, five-star resort in which to hang out. And the activities, which this year include a “Downton”-themed English Pub Quiz in a Cloister-created version of the Grantham Arms and a costume party/elegant dinner/episode screening, are like living upstairs in the heyday of Downton and the other great English manor houses. Another not-to-be-missed event on on Friday, Feb. 5th: A Q&A with the cast members and other special guests. Maybe “Mrs. Hughes” will provide some juicy backstory on her betrothal to Mr. Carson, including how much of a groom-zilla Downton’s Type-A butler turned into.
The weekend's host is Jessica Fellowes, niece of series creator Julian Fellowes and herself the author of six "Downton Abbey" companion books. Other notable guests scheduled to attend the three-day event are series executive producer Liz Trubridge, and Alastair Bruce and Anna Mary Scott Robbins, "Downton's" historical advisor and costume designer respectively.
You must be staying at a Sea Island property to take part in the weekend, and certain events, such as the pub quiz, require reservations. For more information, go to www.seaisland.com/downton-abbey.
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