The Downton Abbey film could be adding a little royal splendor to its plot in an effort to attract a bigger audience.
In photographs from the set taken earlier this week Hugh Bonneville, 54, who plays the role of Lord Grantham, was shown dressed in a military costume – possibly his uniform as the Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire – next to a very familiar looking guest.
Stood next to him is actress Geraldine James, 68, who can be seen decked out in lavish costume and she looks remarkably similar to Queen Mary.
Queen Mary, the wife of King George V and the Queen’s grandmother, was known for her excellent fashion sense and dedication to duty and royal rules.
Dame Maggie Smith, who plays Violet Crawley and Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, have been spotted filming scenes for the Downton Abbey film and standing next to actress Geraldine James (in blue) – whose character has not been confirmed – but looks remarkably similar to Queen Mary. Keen fans have also said the actors are stood under a regal coat of arms – again pointing to the character being a royal
Queen Mary, painted around 1935 on the left, and Geraldine James, in costume on set shown right, can both be seen in ornate furs and high-necked dresses. The film is thought to be set in the 1920s, when the Queen would have been in her 50s
Eagle-eyed fans noticed the royal coat of arms above James’ character in the pictures from set and spotted that she looks much more elegant than the other actors, reports The Telegraph.
An ornate looking chair can also be spotted behind the actress which stands out compared to the simple seats behind the other characters.
The actresses regal furs and high-neck dress have also raised questions of whether she could be Queen Mary.
The actors appear to be standing on a large marquee that is decorated in red and blue bunting.
There are steps leading up to another brightly decorated bandstand, covered in a striking red carpet – as if the Crawley’s may have pulled out all the stops for a possible royal guest.
Dame Maggie Smith (right) was pictured filming for the second time and was clearly feeling in high spirits during the scenes shot in Bath
Thumbs up! Hugh took on the role of Lord Grantham and appears to be in his uniform as the Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire. Behind him are the chairs fans have commented on as being another sign Geraldine James is playing Queen Mary as her red one is more ornate and plush compared to the blue chairs
Queen Mary (centre) can be seen watching the presentation of new colours to Grenadier Guards at Buckingham Palace in 1938 with her two young granddaughters, the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret
Queen Mary would have been 58 in 1925 – the year fans last saw Downton Abbey the TV show celebrating the start of.
Although she was technically a Princess of Teck, in the Kingdom of Württemberg, Germany, Queen Mary was born at Kensington Palace and raised in England.
Her second son who was born in 1895 is Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI.
Queen Mary was well known for her frugality. In her biography written by James Pope-Hennessy it is revealed that George V’s consort would would recycle flowers from her vases as gifts when she visited her friends.
‘She never bought flowers at the florist,’ reveals the Marchioness of Cambridge in book The Quest For Queen Mary.
‘She would go round picking them out of vases in her rooms, so that often they were dead the day after she brought them.’
The Queen died, aged 85, in 1953 at Marlborough House in London.
Eagle-eyed fans have questioned whether the movie with have the royal touch, saying the similarity is uncanny
Queen Mary was born at Kensington Palace and raised in England, although she was technically a Princess of Teck, in the Kingdom of Württemberg, Germany. In this picture she is with husband King George V (1865-1936) who reigned from 1910-1936
Little is known about the plot of the new film, based on the hit ITV period drama Downton Abbey and James’ character has not been confirmed.
It is understood that the film, written by Lord Julian Fellowes, is set in the Twenties and the characters from the show are around the same ages as when the series ended.
Viewers last saw the Crawley family celebrate New Year in 1925.
Much loved characters such as the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley played by Dame Maggie Smith, Charles Carson played by Jim Carter and Lady Crawley played by Elizabeth McGovern are all set to star in the film.
Known for keeping to strict royal rules and being devoted to duty, Queen Mary was also infamous for being strict and frugal. In her biography she is even said to have given old flowers to friends. Pictured is the official portrait photograph of 1935, where the Queen wears a sash and tiara
Joanne Froggatt, who played maid Anna Bates in all six seasons of the period drama, is also back for the feature length film chapter in Downton’s history.
Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, and Stephen Campbell Moore are among the new additions to the cast.
During its six seasons from 2010 to 2015, the series won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards and 69 Emmy nominations in total.
The film adaptation is set for European release on 13 September 2019 and US release on 20 September 2019.