If you've ever watched "Downton Abbey," you know there's one character who's more committed
to keeping traditions alive and resisting change than all the others combined. He's ever-so strict
about standards and conventions, but has a soft spot for the eldest Crawley daughter,
as well as the head housekeeper. He also has some of the Bushiest Eyebrows on TV.
Yes, we're talking about the beloved, but sometimes bad-tempered, Mr. Carson,
as played by English actor Jim Carter. Prior to his memorable role as the butler on "Downton
Abbey," Carter spent decades gracing both the big and small screens. His first acting role came in
1980, when he landed a small part in the TV series "Fox." He then got immersed in the theater world,
which is where he met his legendary actress wife, Imelda Staunton. They later worked together on
several projects, including the award-winning film "Shakespeare in Love" and "Alice in Wonderland."
But you may be wondering what, if anything, has Carter gotten up to
since the period drama series ended? As it turns out, he's kept himself rather busy.
"Thank God, otherwise I'd be gardening."
Jim Carter's eyebrows might be the first thing you notice about him, but his incredibly deep
voice is likely the second. The same year "Downton Abbey" made its debut, Carter voiced
the Executioner in "Alice in Wonderland." In 2013, he narrated an episode of the "Secret
History" docuseries, and he also narrated the 2014 animated short called "One of a Kind."
But Carter's famous voice is also featured in more well-known flicks, too. He famously
voiced Cogman in "Transformers: The Last Knight." Funnily enough, this character also happens to be
a polite butler with a slight anger management issue. It looks like this actor is typecast into
similar roles, whether he plays a 20th-century human butler or a transforming robotic one.
That same year, Carter also voiced Rookery in the sinister-but-sweet film "The Little
Vampire 3D." Then, he made his first foray into video games in 2020 when he voiced Bernard Grubb
in "Wallace & Gromit: The Big Fix Up." Carter recently showed his face in the film "The Good
Liar," as well as the show "Knightfall," in which he played the 14th century Pope Boniface VIII.
Jim Carter isn't the only one who continued pursuing his acting career after "Downton
Abbey" ended, as it appears that talent runs in the family. Following in very similar
footsteps to her father, Jim's daughter Bessie Carter has also had an acting career. In fact,
Bessie has even landed herself a role in a series very similar to the show that made her dad famous.
Many think of "Bridgerton" as this generation's "Downton Abbey." So it's only fitting that Bessie
followed in her father's footsteps and landed her first big role as Prudence Featherington.
Jim is rather private, but he did acknowledge how
proud he is of his daughter during an interview on "Lorraine," saying,
"We're delighted, it's been a huge success. Bessie has had a wonderful time doing it.
I'm thrilled on her behalf. They're starting out a second series soon."
"Downton Abbey" fans thought they'd seen the last of Mr. Carson in 2015 when the
series came to an end. Then, they were elated to see the role revived in the 2019
movie based on the show. The franchise's many devotees will be more than a little
excited that another sequel is set for release in 2022.
Hugh Dancy and Dominic West will be joining the original cast for "Downton Abbey: A New Era."
"Hello, this is Mr. Carson, the butler of Downton Abbey."
Carter revealed in early 2021 that the production of the second "Downton Abbey" movie had been
impacted by the pandemic. As he explained during an appearance on "This Morning,"
"We are hopeful that we will start filming soon but we just can't tell you. But with the virus
and travel restrictions and work restrictions, we haven't got a hundred percent green light."
Despite the long wait, "Downton Abbey" fans will be delighted to see the return of the beloved
cast. And we can't wait to see everyone's favorite former-butler resurrected once again.
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