Hannibal actor Hugh Dancy has admitted he found filming Downton Abbey: A New Era a "terrifying" experience.
The star, who no doubt is used to scary experiences given his work on the serial killer series, revealed that working on the historical drama movie sequel was nerve-wracking for an altogether different reason.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with Digital Spy, the Jack Barber actor explained that the unique filming location meant he had to be very, very careful.
Related: Downton Abbey 2 star teases Barrow's new relationship in the sequel
"You're surrounded by literally priceless paintings all day long which are of such value and historical worth that they're uninsurable," the actor recalled. "So it's basically terrifying. It's a very strange place to work."
The movie's cast also opened up about the meta nature of the sequel, with a group of actors arriving to film at Downton Abbey, star Hugh Bonneville (Earl of Grantham) joking that they "now know how [real-life location owners] Lord and Lady Carnarvon feel every time the Downton Abbey trucks turn up".
"By the same token it's saved their roof from dripping too much. It was great fun," he added.
Penelope Wilton (Lady Merton) noted: "I have a line where I say, 'And now do you do it all again?', and they say, 'Yes', and I thought, 'Yes yes, that's what we do all the time!'."
"One of my favourite lines is Laura Carmichael saying as Edith, 'How do you remember all those lines?'," Elizabeth McGovern (Countess of Grantham) said, "because that is something that everybody asks of us."
Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates) went on to explain: "Anna and Daisy are very excited by the newbies, so there's those two sides of the coin.
"Maggie's lines especially are incredibly well-pitched because it's sort of doing down on actors and filmmakers from this iconic actress and double Oscar winner. Yeah, it definitely adds to the fun of it."
Related: Marvel star reveals inspiration for Downton Abbey 2 character
However, Bonneville confirmed that Highclere Castle owners the Carnarvons don't watch filming, joking that "after 12 years of us being in their house they know when to quietly withdraw and just get on with it".
"Yeah, I mean it's a big invasion of their peaceful home, so yeah there were moments where I suddenly felt like the lady of the house, being the captain of the ship, thinking, 'Oh this is what Lady Carnarvon must feel like sometimes'," Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) said. "We sometimes see them, but most of the time they keep out of the way."
Raquel Cassidy (Phyllis Baxter) added: "I think it's easier because you don't want to see it all happening so close to your precious things or on your precious floors."
Downton Abbey: A New Era is out now in UK cinemas and released in US cinemas on May 20. Downton Abbey The Movie is available to buy on digital, DVD and Blu-ray now.
![Downton Abbey: A New Era [DVD] [2022]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1659510494-51CjjzUrOaL._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Downton Abbey: A New Era [DVD] [2022]")
Universal Pictures Downton Abbey: A New Era [DVD] [2022]
![Downton Abbey: The Movie [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1622112275-51EmMhleQL._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Downton Abbey: The Movie [DVD]")
Universal Pictures Downton Abbey: The Movie [DVD]
![Downton Abbey - Series 1- 6 [DVD] [2015]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1565598027-51L35EzpOcL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Downton Abbey - Series 1- 6 [DVD] [2015]")
Universal Pictures/ITV/Carnival Films/WGBH-TV Downton Abbey - Series 1- 6 [DVD] [2015]
St. Martin's Griffin Downton Abbey - A Celebration: The Official Companion to All Six Seasons (World of Downton Abbey)
White Lion Publishing The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook
White Lion Publishing The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
Freelance film & TV writer, Digital Spy
Critic and writer Jo Berry has been writing about TV and movies since she began her career at Time Out aged 18. A regular on BBC Radio, Jo has written for titles including Empire, Maxim, Radio Times, OK!, The Guardian and Grazia, is the author of books including Chick Flicks and The Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Movies.
She is also the editor of website Movies4Kids. In her career, Jo has interviewed well-known names including Beyonce, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Kiefer Sutherland, Tom Cruise and all the Avengers, spent many an hour crushed in the press areas of award show red carpets. Jo is also a self-proclaimed expert on Outlander and Brassic, and completely agrees that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
