In the midst of George Clooney’s very busy year, he made astop to Downton Abbey for a festive cameo. During his time on set, the ladies of Downton were taken by thenow married man’s charm and charisma. In a new photo released prior to the UKair date of the December 18 Christmas special, George can be seen posing with the women of the show.
George stood alongside Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), Lily James (Lady Rose), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) and Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora).
During his time on set in May, George, 53, also filmed a one-off sketch for ITV’s Text Santa campaign. And who can we thank forgetting him to the set — Hugh Bonneville. It is said that the two men struckup a friendship on the set of The MonumentsMen.
Ina teaser trailer released, Cora can be seen discussing a dinner invitation tothe back of someone whom viewers are led to believe is her husband, but the manturns around revealing it is actually George in a three-piece suit.
While details of his cameoare being kept under wraps, the cast members share in viewers’ enthusiasm andhave spoken to the press.
Laura Carmichael raved about George's set visit
"There'sa very brilliant moment with Maggie and George — I don't know if I want to giveaway any more than that really — but Georgewants a kiss, and Maggie ends up on the floor. It's wonderful," Laura Carmichael told ITV’s This Morning.
“He wasincredibly generous with his time and his talent," Hugh raved about his co-star. “It'sinteresting the number of people who suddenly came on set who'd never been onset in five years of filming! He was great — he was a good laugh and sprinkled some sort of magic dust over our experience."
George with Hugh Bonneville at The Monuments Men premiere in Berlin
Even a pro like George asked the cast forpointers. Jim Carter, who plays Mr. Carson, joked that he had offered him someadvice about smartening up before shooting began. "He askedme for a few tips actually. And I said, 'George, George, George,just try and spruce yourself up because you're a sadly plain creature,'" he joked. "He was thankfulfor myadvice."
Downton Abbey’s Season 5 will start on January 4 on PBS in the US.