STACK June 2016 Issue 140

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visit DVD&BD Q&A
32 JUNE 2016
DVD
&
BD
How’s life after
Downton Abbey?
PHYLLIS LOGAN:
Quieter. It’s actually
been quite a while
now since we were
on the set; we
finished mid-August
last year. So I’m
getting used to the
idea that it will never
happen again.
Is a Downton movie
still a possibility?
It hasn’t been discounted at all.
You probably know as much as I
do. It’s not a definite yes, but not
a definite no either.
Did you ever imagine that the
series would become a global
phenomenon?
No. I don’t think any of us could
have envisaged quite the amount
of hype that it garnered, and also
the popularity. People have just
taken it to their hearts. It’s been
amazing, really.
What do you think has been the
key to its success?
There are a number of factors,
I guess. There was a wonderful
script written solely by Julian
Fellowes, great characters,
intriguing storylines, and set in
that beautiful castle which is a
star in its own right. The attention
to detail, from the smallest piece
of costume, to the hairstyles and
props, was absolutely so well
done by the design team. Then
there is that extra, unknown factor
that makes something a success –
if we all knew what that was, we’d
bottle it and use it every time.
One of the strengths of the
show is how it reflects changing
times and key periods in
history, and their impact on the
characters.
We kicked off in 1912 and
finished up in 1926. It’s only 14
years but there was a massive
global shift that went on during
that time, not just women’s
emancipation, but people’s general
attitude towards life became more
liberal. And we found ourselves
in 1926 with a Labor government
– who would have thought it?
The changes were massive and
it’s no wonder the likes of Mr.
Carson, who was so much rooted
in the Victorian/Edwardian era,
found it difficult to adjust to these
momentous changes.
Are you happy with
the way things
turned out in the final
episode?
I think so. I thought
it was a nice way to
end without being
overly sentimental, or
wrapping things up in
a pink bow. I thought it
was touching, moving
and realistic; he did a
really good job, Julian.
Did the romance
and eventual wedding of Mrs.
Hughes and Carson surprise
you, or did you see it coming?
It quite surprised us when
he actually proposed and I said,
“Of course I’ll marry you, you
old booby.” It was only then
that we thought, gosh, this may
well happen [laughs]. The public
response… everyone seemed
very enthusiastic about the idea I
have to say, so that was nice.
What do you think Mrs. Hughes
really thought of the family?
She respected them. But of
course she didn’t think it was
fair that they had it all and other
people had nothing. I don’t think
she kowtowed to them in any
way. I’m just thinking of one
storyline when she thought she
might have had cancer, and Lady
Cora said, “We’ll always look after
you” – I think that maybe changed
her perception of the family
because she was quite touched
by the fact that the household, the
Crawleys, weren’t going to kick
her out for being ill. They were
going to look after her like part of
the family.
Deaths and marriages,
seduction and scandal.
There's never a dull
moment at Downton...
As Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper of Downton Abbey, Phyllis Logan
has been with the beloved British series from the very beginning.
She shares her thoughts on her time with the Crawley family in their
very big house in the country. By Scott Hocking
MEMORABLE
DOWNTON
MOMENTS
I thought it was a
nice way to end
without being
overly sentimental
What’s your fondest memory
of working on the series?
Oh, there’s so many. The day
we had down by the seaside
– when Mr. Carson and Mrs.
Hughes walked into the sea
hand-in-hand to have a paddle –
that was rather lovely. I’ll always
remember that because it was
such a glorious day and the
crew and everybody jumped
into the sea at
lunchtime, and
everyone was
having such a
great time. It
was like being
on holiday.
Any moment featuring Maggie
Smith's acerbic Dowager Countess.
A Day at the Beach – no surprise that
it's one of Phyllis's favourite bits.
Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk's
sole appearance was memorable for
Lady Mary!
Marital memories: Lady Edith left
at the altar, wounded William's
widow's pension for Daisy, Mrs.
Hughes and Mr. Carson tie the
knot. Take your pick.
• Downton
Abbey:
Season 6
is out now