<b>'Downton Abbey'</b>
The Emmy-winning show about a fictional estate in Yorkshire has taken the world by storm, becoming the top show in several countries, and a huge hit in the U.S.
Many of the actors are not household names, and most people only know them in their 'Downton' costumes. So let's see what they look like in real life, shall we?
(PBS)
<b>Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham / Robert Crawley</b>
Hugh is somewhat familiar as he's been on tons of TV shows and movies. On "Downton" he plays the patriarch of the family and master of the house, Lord Grantham (left).
(PBS/Reuters)
<b>Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley / Countess of Grantham</b>
Elizabeth garnered an Academy Award nomination back in 1981 for role as Evelyn in "Ragtime." On the hit PBS Masterpiece, she stars as the strong, yet endearing, matriarch of the family.
(PBS/Reuters)
<strong>Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley</strong>
Maggie has been acting since the '50s and has won numerous awards including two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes. In 2011 and 2012 she won an Emmy for her portrayal of Violet Crawley, the stubborn, ultra-powerful grandmother on the show.
(PBS/Reuters)
<strong>Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley </strong>
Michelle is a jazz singer who also starred in the Academy Award winning movie "Anna Karenina."
Michelle has her hands full with Lady Mary, the eldest daughter of the Crawley family, and a bit of a wild child.
(PBS/Reuters)
<b>Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley</b>
Laura's only other role to date was as Sal in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (2011). In "Downton" she plays the middle daughter, Lady Edith, who is often jealous of her sisters.
(PBS/Reuters)
<strong>Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Branson </strong>
Jess is a bit of a newcomer on the scene and Tim Burton even considered her for the lead in his adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland."
She stars as the youngest Crawley daughter, Lady Sybil, who is quite forward-thinking, that is until Season 3 when ... well, we'll leave it there, in case you haven't seen it yet.
(PBS/Reuters)
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<b>Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley</b>
Dan is a pretty diverse guy, having starred on TV and in stage productions for years. He is also a contributor to London's <i>Daily Telegraph</i> and <i>The Times </i>and he is editor-at-large for <i>The Junket.</i>
As Matthew Crawley on the show, he doesn't need to work nearly that hard as he is the heir to the Crawley fortune.
(PBS/AP)
<strong>Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates </strong>
Joanne has been on several BBC shows throughout her career, but she says she really enjoys playing Anna, the head housemaid at "Downton."
"[She's] the kind of person I would want as a friend," she says of her character.
(PBS/Reuters)
<b>Brendan Coyle as Mr. Bates</b>
Brendan started acting late in his career and was last seen in "Jericho" before signing on to play Lord Crawley's old friend and then Valet in "Downton."
(PBS/AP)
<b>Siobhan Finneran as Ms. O'Brien</b>
Siobhan has starred on many British TV series including "Coronation Street" and "Benidom." On "Downton," she plays a scheming Lady's Maid that fans love to hate.
(PBS)
<strong>Jim Carter as Mr. Carson </strong>
Jim has been acting for several decades and brings an endearing edge to the Butler, Mr. Carson, who always seems to know what to do in sticky situations.
(PBS/Reuters)
<b>Sophie McShera as Daisy</b>
McShera plays the young kitchen worker Daisy. She got her big break in 2007 when she appeared in the BBC drama "Waterloo Road." McShera has appeared in every episode of "Downton Abbey."
(PBS/ Reuters)
<b>Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes</b>
Logan plays the voice-of-reason Mrs. Hughes on "Downton Abbey." Her character keeps the staff in line and often solves problems in the house.
(PBS/ Reuters)