Features

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale stars – where have you seen them on stage?

Back together for one final time!

Tanyel Gumushan

| Nationwide |

9 September 2025

Dominic West, Hugh Bonneville, Penelope Wilton, © Johan Persson, Manuel Harlan, Johan Persson

Downton Abbey, a British gem that has touched hearts across the globe, is coming to an end this autumn.

After six seasons, Christmas specials, and three films, the period drama is saying farewell after 15 years.

Across its journey, we’ve been introduced to countless characters played by a whole wealth of generational talent, including the late, great Maggie Smith, stage veterans like Julian Ovenden, and many more, while admittedly courting criticism for its lack of diversity in casting.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale sees much-loved members return and reunite for the last time – but out of the film’s cast, who have you seen grace the stage?

Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley)

Hugh Bonneville in An Enemy of the People, © Manuel Harlan

Downton’s very own Robert Crawley is played by one of this country’s most distinguished performers, Hugh Bonneville. He has worked with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and many more, in titles ranging from Uncle Vanya to Hamlet – and even a stint in the West End’s longest-running play, The Mousetrap! In 2019 he played CS Lewis in Shadowlands, while in 2016, he was on the stage in An Enemy of the People, with another actor on this list…

Laura Carmichael (Edith Pelham)

Laura Carmichael in The Maids, © Marc Brenner

Another Uncle Vanya alum, Laura Carmichael made her West End debut in 2012. Since then, she’s notably worked with director Jamie Lloyd in The Maids, alongside Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton.

Jim Carter (Charles “Charlie” Carson)

Our Charlie Carson is played by a stage legend, Jim Carter, who happens to be part of a family of stage legends! Jim Carter famously kick-started his theatre career by dropping out of university at the chance of earning five quid a week with Brighton-based troupe, Brighton Combination. He’s appeared in shows like Guys and Dolls (where he met his wife, Imelda Staunton) and The Wizard of Oz (where he played the Cowardly Lion to Staunton’s Dorothy).

Raquel Cassidy (Phyllis Baxter)

From the Royal Court to the Royal Exchange, the Almeida and Tron Theatre in between, Raquel Cassidy’s stage career has taken her up and down the country as Desdemona, Lady Macbeth and more. She’s reprising her award-winning role of Phyllis Baxter for the final film.

Brendan Coyle (John Bates)

Olivier Award winner Brendan Coyle picked up the trophy for The Weir, as part of his tradition of working with playwright Conor McPherson – it’s a performance he also took over to Broadway! Only recently, he went toe-to-toe with Lily Allen in Hedda at the Ustinov Studio in Bath.

Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley)

It’s been a big year for Michelle Dockery – the Olivier Award nominee revealed she’s expecting her first child with husband Jasper Waller-Bridge at the Downton Abbey film premiere! On stage, she’s known for roles in Book of Dust, Burnt by the Sun, Pygmalion, and more, working closely with the National Theatre.

Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley)

Kevin Doyle in Mrs Warren's Profession, — Kevin Doyle in Mrs Warren’s Profession, © Johan Persson

Playing footman Joseph Molesley in Downton Abbey, Kevin Doyle has performed extensively on stage, particularly as part of the RSC’s illustrious history. He was most recently seen opposite Staunton and Bessie Carter in Mrs Warren’s Profession… there really is a family connection!

Michael Fox (Andrew “Andy” Parker)

Just like his co-star and real-life partner, Carmichael, Michael Fox has a relationship with the stage! He has notably performed in Othello (Riverside Studios), Clybourne Park (Park Theatre), Kerry Jackson and The Land of the Living (National Theatre), All in a Row and A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), and An Enemy of the People – with Mr Bonneville himself!

Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates)

Joanne Froggatt in Alys, Always, © Helen Maybanks

In Downton Abbey, Joanne Froggatt plays Anna Bates – a role for which she has received awards! She returned to the stage in 2019 in the Bridge Theatre’s Alys, Always, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Paul Giamatti (Harold Levinson)

The American actor is a known name and face in theatres across the country, having kick-started his Broadway career in Tom Stoppard’s play Arcadia. More recently, he has transitioned into big-screen work (his last stage credit was in 2013, when he returned to Yale Repertory Theatre), garnering applause for his turn in The Holdovers.

Harry Hadden-Paton (Herbert “Bertie” Pelham)

Harry Hadden Paton in Here We Are, © Marc Brenner

Harry Hadden-Paton is synonymous with Downton, and for those in the know, with the stage. His most recent triumph was portraying Henry Higgins in a Broadway and West End revival of My Fair Lady, and appearing in the UK premiere of Sondheim’s final musical, Here We Are. He’s even shared the stage with his real-life partner…

Allen Leech (Tom Branson)

Allen Leech and Ginnifer Goodwin in Constellations, © Chris Whitaker

Having started to perform in arts centres and playhouses, Allen Leech became a much-loved Downton cast member in the role of Tom Branson. He has performed in the West End in Ectasy and in North America in Constellations.

Phyllis Logan (Elsie Hughes)

She’s best known for playing Mrs Hughes on screen, but Phyllis Logan has performed on stages around Scotland and beyond! Just some of her credits include: Patricia Highsmith in Switzerland (Theatre Royal Bath and West End), Queen Elizabeth in Michael Grandage’s Richard III (Sheffield Crucible) and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Edinburgh Festival).

Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley)

In the States, Elizabeth McGovern has performed on Broadway and off. Following a move to London in the mid-1990s, McGovern has appeared across the UK – including playing Martha in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in Bath, Anne in Kenneth Lonergan’s The Starry Messenger in the West End and as Jackie Kennedy in Aristo in Chichester.

Sophie McShera (Daisy Parker)

Sophie McShera in Shucked, © Pamela Raith

Over the summer, Sophie McShera returned to the stage as Maizy in the UK premiere of Shucked! As a child, she led productions of Annie, before appearing in Jez Butterworth’s award-winning Jerusalem in the role of Pea for the play’s stint at the Apollo Theatre.

Lesley Nicol (Beryl Patmore)

On stage, Lesley Nicol can cook up a treat! The performer originated the role of Rosie in Mamma Mia! and Kath in Our House, both in the West End. She’s known more widely as Auntie Annie in East is East, having played the role at London’s Royal Court Theatre and reprising it in the BAFTA Award-winning film adaptation and sequel. Nicol has even written and presented a musical about her life.

Dominic West (Guy Dextor)

Dominic West in A View From the Bridge, © Johan Persson

An actor who requires little introduction, Dominic West has, of course, dipped his toe into stage work. He’s performed at the National Theatre (The Voysey Inheritance), the Donmar Warehouse (Life is a Dream, Les Liaisons Dangereuses), at the Royal Court (The River), and in the West End (Butley). However, he makes a special point of returning to his hometown of Sheffield, having performed in both Othello and My Fair Lady at the Crucible Theatre. He was recently seen leading A View from the Bridge.

Penelope Wilton (Isobel Grey)

Penelope Wilton in Backstairs Billy, © Johan Persson

Multi-Olivier Award nominee and winner, Penelope Wilton, has performed in the country’s most famous theatres for over 50 years, appearing in more shows than we could begin to count! She was last seen on stage in Backstairs Billy in the West End in 2023.

Simon Russell Beale (Sir Hector Moreland)

Simon Russell Beale and the Titus Andronicus 2025 RSC original production and cast, © Marc Brenner

He has three Olivier Awards (ten nominations) and a Tony Award under his belt! Simon Russell Beale has a special relationship with Sam Mendes, having collaborated on Troilus and Cressida, Richard III, The Tempest, Othello, Uncle Vanya, and Twelfth Night. He’s also often found at the National Theatre and with the RSC – most recently in Titus Andronicus.

Arty Froushan (Noël Coward)

Tackling perhaps the most stagey role in the series, playing Noël Coward, Arty Froushan has the credits to match… He has performed in the West End and on Broadway in the award-winning Leopoldstadt and will soon be seen at the Almeida in The Line of Beauty.

Alessandro Nivola (Gus Sambrook)

Alessandro Nivola made his Broadway debut in 1995, appearing in A Month in the Country, and has since featured in the well-received productions of The Winslow Boy and The Elephant Man.

Joely Richardson (Lady Petersfield)

She could be considered Downton’s belle of Off-Broadway, having starred in productions of Madame Melville (2001), Ivanov (2012) and The Belle of Amherst (2014). On this side of the pond, she has performed at the RSC, the Old Vic and more, appearing in productions of Lady Windermere’s Fan, Steel Magnolias, and War of the Roses.