The Dowager gets a new Lady’s Maid!
Actress Sue Johnston is joining the fifth series cast of award-winning period drama Downton Abbey in a guest role, Carnival Films and ITV have confirmed.
Johnston, best known for her roles in Waking the Dead, The Royle Family and Coronation Street is to play Denker, Lady’s Maid to Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Dame Maggie Smith.
Richard E. Grant, Anna Chancellor and Rade Sherbedgia will also be making guest appearances in the series written by Julian Fellowes.  Dame Harriet Walter and Peter Egan will be reprising their roles as Lady Shackleton and Lord Flintshire respectively.
The series is a Carnival Films/MASTERPIECE Co-Production, executive produced by Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes and Liz Trubridge.
Downton Abbey returns this autumn and at Christmas 2014 for feature-length episode.
