George Clooney To Make ‘Downton Abbey’ Appearance

You might think that Downton Abbey has jumped the shark.

George Clooney is not so sure.

For The Sun is reporting this morning that the newly engaged Hollywood dreamboat is to make an appearance in a one-off Christmas special of the British costume drama, alongside the cast of the hit drama as part of a charity appeal.

The appearance comes after Clooney became friends with Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Robert Grantham, during the filming of the movie The Monuments Men.

He has reportedly already filmed the scenes, which see his character attend a wedding at Downton.

A spokesperson for British broadcaster ITV said Clooney would appear in a sketch, but would not act in a full Christmas episode.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “This is the biggest moment in Downton history and shows it's now the biggest drama in the world. All the plans have been shrouded in secrecy because George was determined for his role not to leak out...George and Hugh became really close during filming and it became very clear that George loved Downton.

“He would joke around about the idea of getting a part so Hugh helped put the wheels in motion to make it happen.”

The Guardian reports that earlier this year, it was claimed that Clooney and his fiancée, Amal Alamuddin, considered choosing Highclere Castle, the Hampshire estate where Downton Abbey is filmed, as the venue for their upcoming wedding.

However, it has now been suggested that this was an elaborate cover story to keep his Downton appearance a secret.