Dan Stevens quits Downton Abbey

[dutchman]

Downton Abbey fans were rocked last night by news that another of its major stars is set to turn his back on ITV’s most successful period drama.



Just as a fourth series and Christmas special were announced, it emerged that romantic lead Dan Stevens, 30, who plays Matthew Crawley, is leaving.

A well-placed production source told the Sunday Express: “Dan Stevens isn’t returning to the series. He will probably do the first episode of the fourth series, but that will be it.”

ITV would not confirm or deny Stevens’s departure. However, it is thought he will appear in the Christmas show. The two-hour episode, described as a tearjerker, will see the Grantham family head to Scotland for a break, leaving most of the servants at home.

There have also been wrangles over money. A source said: “The American network NBC, which owns the production company which makes the show, basically bankrolled the first series.

“There was talk it didn’t want to put in so much money this time. Even with all this there are still plans to do five series.”

It is not clear how or when Stevens will exit the show. In the last series his character Matthew guaranteed the future of the Downton estate with a surprise inheritance. His relationship with Lady Mary, and then their marriage, has been the main plotline through the three series of Downton Abbey. His departure is seen as a major blow.

Stevens is the second major star to desert the blockbuster after establishing themselves. Lady Sybil, played by Jessica Brown Findlay, quit to pursue a career in Hollywood.

Downton creator and writer Julian Fellowes revealed the screen tragedy of her character dying in childbirth was forced upon him by the actress’s decision to leave. Jessica has since moved on to film Winter’s Tale with an all-star Hollywood cast. Yesterday there was also speculation about whether Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, will return for the next series.