The Friday News Roundup: Late Night Edition

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Blame the short week for the lateness of today’s roundup post – it’s possible that yours truly forgot that it was actually Friday today. Please keep laughing on that score to a minimum, if at all possible.

But, it is Friday, so that means it’s News Roundup time! Click through for updates on Upstairs Downstairs, Copper, Downton Abbey, Eternal Law, Sherlock, Doctor Who, Mistresses and more!

Joan Collins latest in long line of people rumored to be joining Downton Abbey, though the specifications said to be required for her involvement seem kind of stringent.

MI-5’s Tom Weston-Jones joins the cast of BBC America’s first original drama, Copper. I’m very curious to see what this drama ends up looking like.

Tenth Doctor David Tennant has tied with knot with former Doctor Who guest star Georgia Moffett. Moffett, herself the daughter of a Time Lord (Fifth Doctor Peter Davidson) played the Doctor’s daughter in Series 4.  Now all they need is to have a kid and have him or her grow up to be on Who in some way!

And, in more Who gossip - let the tumult of crazy new Companion rumors begin! I am however, always in favor of more Craig. Production on Series 7 kicked off this week.

And this isn’t actually news, but it’s pretty awesome – various patterns to make your own paper craft TARDIS-es. (TARDISI?)

Matthew Graham, one of the creators of the amazing Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes,  introduces new series Eternal Law.

Wow, apparently, Neil Jackson, better known as Harry the Chauffeur in the Upstairs Downstairs remake, is not a fan of the ladies of Downton Abbey, claiming that the Upstairs women are more attractive. Keep it classy, Neil.

Interesting article featuring the woman who taught Benedict Cumberbatch to play the violin for Sherlock.

And speaking of Sherlock, a resounding Happy Birthday to the world’s greatest sleuth, as Holmes’ fictional birthday is celebrated today. Why today? Find out.

Downton’s Lord Grantham, Hugh Bonneville, talks to NY Mag about butlers, historical accuracy and more.

Take a video tour of Highclere Castle, the house that stands in for the fictional Downton Abbey.

More behind the scenes Downton-related items: meet the woman responsible for all those gorgeous costumes.

A few details are starting to emerge about the upcoming second series of Upstairs Downstairs.

If you’ve been waiting to see the great film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, it goes into wide release in the US today.

More movie news – the longlist for the British Academy Film Awards, better known as the BAFTAs, is out. Lots of fab actors are on it, including Dame Judi Dench, Alan Rickman, Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Gary Oldman and Colin Firth among many others.

A film biopic of superstar Elton John is in the works and apparently pop star Justin Timberlake is John’s top choice for someone to play him.

Britain’s Got Talent  partners with YouTube to allow an online auditioning segment.

From the “this is incredibly strange” files, X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary mocks Downton Abbey  and The Only Way is Essex by dressing himself up as characters from both shows.

The final season of Mistresses is coming to BBC America, starting January 18.

Who hasn’t wanted to dress like Absolutely Fabulous’ Patsy Stone? There’s also a similar clothing guide for Eddie, if anyone’s brave enough to try that.


Lacy Baugher

Lacy's love of British TV is embarrassingly extensive, but primarily centers around evangelizing all things Doctor Who, and watching as many period dramas as possible.

Digital media type by day, she also has a fairly useless degree in British medieval literature, and dearly loves to talk about dream poetry, liminality, and the medieval religious vision. (Sadly, that opportunity presents itself very infrequently.) York apologist, Ninth Doctor enthusiast, and unabashed Ravenclaw. Say hi on Threads or Blue Sky at @LacyMB. 

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