Shirley MacLaine to Join Cast of PBS's DOWNTOWN ABBEY Season 3

ITV and Carnival films have announced that stage and screen star Shirley MacLaine will be joining the cast of the PBS period drama DOWNTOWN ABBY for its third season. The actress will portray Martha Levinson, the mother of Elizabeth McGovern's character, Lady Grantham. The casting of MacLaine marks the second American actress to join the popular U.K.series. Shooting is expected to begin next month. 

Gareth Neame, managing director of Carnival Films commented, “My late grandfather directed Shirley MacLaine in Gambit in 1966 so it is a delight for me that she will be joining us on Downton Abbey. [Creator] 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 third season of the series will be set in the 1920's. Episodes are  expected to premiere sometime in September of 2012. In January, the show won the Golden Globe award for best television movie or miniseries.

Shirley MacLaine has performed concerts on Broadway as well as appeared in the original productions of THE PAJAMA GAME and ME AND JULIET. MacLaine has appeared in numerous films including the film version of 'Sweet Charity" and "Terms of Endearment" for which she won the 1983 Academy Award for Best Actress.

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