Sophie McShera was among the star-studded attendees at the Downton Abbey: A New Era afterparty alongside co-stars Laura Haddock, Joanne Froggatt and Laura Carmichael following the premiere on Monday evening.
Following the glitzy red carpet affair, the glamour continued into the night as the leading ladies of Downton hit the afterparty in their finery at nightspot Quaglinos in London’s Mayfair.
Sophie, 36, who plays assistant cook Daisy in the franchise, was worlds away from her dowdy character as she stunned in a busty silver co-ord, which consisted of a corset-style crop top and thigh-split skirt.
The sizzling skirt flashed her toned legs, which she elongated with a pair of metallic strappy heels, while keeping the attention on her outfit with minimal accessories.
Wearing the same look as earlier in the evening, Laura Haddock, who is joining the cast of Downton, looked sensational in a sheer silver sequinned gown with feathered detailing and a matching cape.
The White Lines star, 36, showed off her unique sense of style in the stunning ensemble, which saw the cape serve as a dramatic trailing train, while she gave herself a few extra inches in silver strapped heels.
Wow! Sophie, 36, who plays assistant cook Daisy in the franchise, was worlds away from her dowdy character as she stunned in a busty silver co-ord, which consisted of a corset-style crop top and thigh-split skirt
She swept her chocolate tresses back into a slicked up-do and bolstered her striking features with a bronzed make-up palette and accessorised her look with earrings from TASAKI Pearls.
In Downton Abbey, Laura transforms into period star Myrna Dalgleish who arrives at the Crawley household as it prepares to become the set for a Hollywood film.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth McGovern appeared partied towards the end of the evening, as she kicked off her heels while attending the party.
Making her way inside, Elizabeth, 60, looked typically chic in the same off-the-shoulder velvet gown she wore on Leicester Square earlier that evening.
Comfort is key! l Elsewhere, Elizabeth McGovern appeared partied towards the end of the evening, as she kicked off her heels while attending the party
Don’t mind me: But after a long night the actress crossed the pavement in her bare feet before making her way inside the venue
But after a long night the actress crossed the pavement in her bare feet before making her way inside the venue.
Elsewhere, Trading her sweeping silver gown for an elegant black evening dress, Michelle, 40, ensured she caught the eye as she prepared to let her hair down with her co-stars.
With a daring thigh-high split, the dress proved to be a fashion highlight on a night already dedicated to red carpet glamour.
The British star – best known for her role as Lady Mary Talbot – rounded off her look with a pair of strappy black heels, while a caramel coloured blazer was tastefully draped across her shoulders.
Michelle spoke about returning to the character of Lady Mary after the historical drama series came to an end in December 2015 and the Downton Abbey film came out in 2019.
Here they come: Elizabeth led the way while carrying her black satin heels in her hands
Looking good: Elizabeth looked typically chic in the same off-the-shoulder velvet gown she wore on Leicester Square earlier that night
Upbeat: Elizabeth was in high spirits while greeting onlookers outside the venue
She told Radio Times: ‘It’s really rare that you get back into the shoes of a character that you’ve played for so many years. It’s been three years since the last [Downton Abbey] film and we’ve all been doing work in between.
‘It’s great to come back to something that is so familiar, and it saves a lot of time in the beginning because there’s not as much preparation.’
Other guests on the night included Laura Carmichael, whose thigh-skimming cream minidress proved to be another standout look on the night.
Elsewhere Laura Haddock looked stunning in a sweeping sheer gown, while Joanne Froggatt opted for a vibrant red dress and matching peep-toe heels.
Tasteful: Opting for an elegant black evening dress, Michelle, 40, ensured she caught the eye as she prepared to let her hair down with her co-stars
Stylish: Michelle – best known for her role as Lady Mary Talbot – rounded off her look with a pair of black heels, while a caramel coloured blazer was tastefully draped across her shoulders
Make way: Joanne Froggatt also caught the eye during her appearance at the after-party
Fans have been eagerly awaiting Downton Abbey: A New Era, which is the sequel to the 2019 film, after the release was pushed back from the initially planned 2021 premiere.
The trailer shows the Crawley family heading to the south of France to uncover a mystery at a villa bestowed to Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, while an ambitious director plans to make a film at Downton.
It opens as fan favourite Violet [Dame Maggie], says: ‘I’ve come into the possession of villa in the South of France.
She’s expecting: Pregnant star Tuppence Middleton called it a night after a brief appearance at the after-party
Lovely: American actress Claire Danes looked stunning in a red lace floral dress as she climbed from the rear of her car
Dapper: Show creator Julian Fellowes looked smart in a black tuxedo and matching bow tie on Monday evening
Casual: Actress Imelda Staunton opted for a distinctive striped blouse and cropped trousers for her appearance at the event
In attendance: Rebecca Knight was also among guests at the Mayfair venue on Monday evening
She continues: ‘Years ago, before you were born. I met a man.’ It then transpires Dowager Grantham and her lover ‘spent a few days together and he gave her a house’.
The upcoming sequel will see the return of the much-loved cast including Hugh, Michelle and Penelope Wilton.
And it looks like there could be trouble in paradise for Lady Mary (Michelle) as she talks about the struggles of marriage in the trailer.
Lady Mary is seen talking to Hugh’s character, saying: ‘You don’t need me to tell you that marriage is a novel full of plot twists along the way.’
Side by side: Hugh Bonneville was joined by glamourous wife Lulu Evans at the star-studded afterparty
She’s pleased: Raquel Cassidy greeted onlookers with a wave as she exited the Mayfair bar later that night
Leggy: Laura Carmichael opted for a thigh-skimming cream minidress for her appearance at the exclusive event
And fans picked up on the absence of Lady Mary’s husband Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) in the official posters.
One wrote: ‘Where is Henry Talbot???’
While another added: ‘WHERE IS HENRY TALBOT? I may need to take a turn around the grounds to mull over this mystery’.
A third chimed: ‘I just noticed one main character is missing from the #DowntonAbbeyANewEra movie poster. Where is Henry Talbot?’.
The trailer also shows estate becoming the setting for a film and a slim mustached Dominic, who plays an 1920s Hollywood actor, becomes quite the heartthrob among the staff.
Helping hand: Sophie McShera needed assistance as she climbed from the rear of her car on Monday evening
Nothing fishy about that: Laura Haddock commanded attention in a sweeping sheer dress on Monday evening
Good times: Cherise caught the eye in a vibrant pink minidress as she let her hair down with a friend
One of the cooks says: ‘There is something about him, he’s like a wild animal ready to spring’.
Mister Barber, a producer and director, begins to shoot the film- but Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) isn’t impressed by the fanfare.
‘I think its a horrible idea. Actresses plastered in make-up and actors just plastered,’ he says as the scene shifts to the Hollywood cast interrupting the day-to-day life in Downton.
Wow! Laura Haddock, who is set to debut in Downton Abbey as a glamorous 1920s film star in the upcoming film, looked sensational in a sheer silver sequinned gown with feathered detailing and a matching cape
Stunning: She swept her chocolate tresses back into a slicked up-do and bolstered her striking features with a bronzed make-up palette and a slick of pink lipstick
New face: In Downton Abbey, Laura transforms into period star Myrna Dalgleish who arrives at the Crawley household as it prepares to become the set for a Hollywood film
Longtime partners: Julian stepped out on the red carpet alongside his wife Emma Joy Kitchener, who cut a chic figure in a pink gown with heart patterning
The trailer also hints that fans will finally get to see widower Tom Branson find love again with maid Lucy Smith, as the pair tie the knot in romantic scenes.
Downton creator Julian Fellowes previously teased some details about the movie, which is based on the acclaimed TV series.
Speaking about the project, Julian shared: ‘It’s really a new era. The further the ’20s went along, the more the world was changing in so many ways. Everything from entertainment to transport was really different by the end of the ’20s. That’s what we’re referring to in that.’
Downton Abbey: Laura stars as Lady Edith Crawley in the popular ITV period drama
Movie: The upcoming sequel sees the return of the much-loved cast as the Crawley family head to the South of France to uncover a mystery at a villa
Downton: Joanne stars as housemaid Anna Bates in the popular ITV period drama and is returning to the role for the 2022 movie
Cast: The upcoming sequel will see the return of the much-loved cast including Hugh, Michelle and Penelope Wilton (L-R) Samantha Bond, Douglas Reith, Harry Hadden-Paton, Laura Carmichael, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Penelope Wilton, Robert James Collier and Michael Fox
On screen: Elizabeth plays Cora Crawley, countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey
Julian sees the Downton films as an extension of the hit TV series, which ran for six seasons between 2010 and 2015, and he explained that the new movie will pick up from where the 2019 film ended.
He said: ‘As we know from the last film, Mary may not be the titular head of the household, but she is effectively running the show. We take that further.
‘We’re trying to mark the change – the fact that Crawleys of Downton are nearly in the 1930s, which is merely the beginning of the modern world.’
Role: Hugh was one of the newcomers to join the cast of the film, playing Jack Barber
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk