MASTERPIECE on PBS and Announce New Casting for Season 5

Boston, MA, February 14, 2014 — Carnival Films and MASTERPIECE on PBS today announced new cast members joining Season 5 of the Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning hit drama Downton Abbey.

Richard E. Grant (Girls, Gosford Park, ) is joining the cast as Simon Bricker, who visits Downton Abbey as a guest of the Granthams.

Anna Chancellor (The Hour, Four Weddings and a Funeral) joins in a guest role, playing Lady Anstruther, and Rade Sherbedgia (Eyes Wide Shut, 24) plays a Russian refugee.

Returning guest cast member Dame will reprise her role as Lady Shackleton, along with , returning as Lord Flintshire.

MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Eaton says, "We look forward to introducing these new characters to our MASTERPIECE audience. They will make a wonderful addition to the beloved Downton Abbey ensemble."

Downton Abbey’s Executive Producer , the Managing Director of Carnival Films, says, “We are delighted to welcome these talented actors to the world of Downton. The characters they play are set to bring yet more excitement and intrigue to the show.”

The new series will feature returning stars , , , Elizabeth McGovern, , , , , , , , , , , Sophie McShera, Rob James-Collier, , , , , Tom Cullen, , Daisy Lewis, Douglas Reith, Jeremy Swift and .

The fourth season of Downton Abbey, which concludes on February 23, hit a new record high in the U.S. with its Season 4 opener, averaging 15 million viewers, an increase of 39 percent from the Season 3 opening episode. The show’s third season became the highest rated TV drama in PBS’ history and reached over 24 million viewers, a 7 million increase on Season 2. Downton Abbey is now one of the highest rated dramas on American television.

Downton Abbey is a Carnival/MASTERPIECE Co-Production, executive produced by Gareth Neame, and Liz Trubridge. Rebecca Eaton is Executive Producer for MASTERPIECE. MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by WGBH Boston.

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Funding provided by Downton Abbey Season 5 Casting Announcement, Page 2

Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking Cruises and Ralph Lauren Corporation with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series’ future.

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About Carnival Films Carnival Films is a division of NBCUniversal International Television Production and the UK’s largest drama specialist, responsible for global TV sensation Downton Abbey, winner of two Golden Globes and ten Primetime , and the most nominated non-US show in the history of the Emmys with a total of 39 nominations. Founded in 1978, Carnival has produced over 500 hours of popular drama including The Hollow Crown, ’s political thriller , BAFTA award winning Any Human Heart, acclaimed mini-series Traffik, Dracula, Whitechapel, and Poirot. Downton Abbey is executive produced by Carnival’s Managing Director, Gareth Neame. In 2011, Carnival was recognised as Best UK Production Company at the Bulldog Awards and named Best Production Company at the 2012 Broadcast Awards. pbs.org/masterpiece

Press Contacts Ellen Dockser, [email protected], 617-300-5338 Olivia Wong, [email protected], 617-300-5349