Shirley MacLaine will join the cast of “Downton Abbey” when it returns next year for series three, according to a joint press release from Carnival Films and ITV.
The Oscar-winning “Terms of Endearment” star, 77, will appear as Martha Levinson, the American mother of Lady Cora Grantham.
MacLaine will begin filming with the cast next month, the release said.
Carnival Films’ Managing Director Gareth Neame said, “Julian [Fellowes] has written another brilliant character in Martha Levinson, who will be a wonderful combatant for Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess and we are excited at the prospect of Shirley MacLaine playing her.”
The hit British period drama, which airs as part of PBS’ “Masterpiece Classics” series in the States, recently won the National Television Award for best drama and the Golden Globe for best mini-series.
"It is so exciting to have an actress of Shirley MacLaine's stature joining our brilliant Downton Abbey cast for series three and a tribute to the show's success on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Laura Mackie, ITV’s Director of Drama.
MacLaine has starred in over 50 feature films over the course of her esteemed career. Her 2008 book “Sage-Ing While Age-Ing” was an international best-seller, and last March she published the New York Times best-seller “I’m Over All That: And Other Confessions.”
