Soap viewers have been enthralled of late with the Golden Globe Award winning drama, Downton Abbey from PBS. And now, joining the British drama for Season 3 is Academy Award-winning actress Shirley MacLaine, according to an official release!
According to The Huffington Post, the series star, Elizabeth McGovern who stars as Lady Cora, had previously told the U.K.’s Sun that the third season would see some of her American relatives coming to Downton, including her mother, Martha Levinson, played by MacLaine. “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,” said executive producer Gareth Neame, in a statement.
Season 3 is set to begin production next month, just as Season 2 is wrapping up on-air! Season 2 of Downton Abbey airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on PBS. The third season will premiere in the UK in the fall of 2012 and will then air in the US in the winter of 2013. If you have seen the series what do you think of it and the addition of MacLaine to the mix?
Brian says: 
barbara t 
Mo