British ensemble series
"Downton Abbey" was a mega-hit, yet sadly, we've already lost too many of
its actors. Here are some of the familiar "Downton Abbey" faces who have since passed on,
along with where you've seen them in the show. Terence Harvey played Downton's estate manager,
Mr. Jarvis, who had worked for the Crawley family since 1880. Harvey had several memorable
scenes during his appearance in Season 3, when Jarvis resists Matthew Crawley's
attempts to modernize the Downton estate. As Matthew criticizes the lack
of progression at Downton, he points to the way the estate has
been run, which deeply offends Jarvis. "Am I to stand here after 40 years
of loyal service to be accused of malfeasance and corruption?" Although Matthew and Lord Grantham both
apologize for causing offense, Jarvis abruptly makes up his mind to leave. Before he
departs, he issues a strange warning to Matthew: "I am the old broom Mr. Crawley, you are the
new. I wish you luck with your sweeping." Though Harvey never returned to "Downton Abbey,"
he did go on to work with Hugh Bonneville again in the 2017 film "Viceroy's House." Prior
to appearing in the British period drama, the actor also racked up credits in popular
British soaps, including "Hollyoaks," "Eastenders," and "Holby City." Harvey
died suddenly at the age of 72 in 2017. Bernard Gallagher played recurring character
William "Bill" Molesley in "Downton Abbey." Molesley could usually be seen tending to his
exquisite rose garden or offering advice to his son Joseph. Gallagher portrayed a loyal and caring
father who does whatever he can to help his son. Gallagher's most memorable moments come in Episode
5 of the first season, when Molesley competes in the Downton Village Flower Show against the
Dowager Countess of Grantham. After a few eye-opening conversations, the Dowager discovers
that she is automatically being awarded the Grantham Cup for "Best Bloom In the Village"
every year because of her title and reputation. In a very touching and surprising scene,
the Dowager takes herself out of the running and announces Molesley's victory. He
quietly acknowledges her sacrifice, saying, "Thank you my lady. Thank
you for letting me have it." Before appearing in "Downton Abbey," Gallagher
enjoyed an acting career spanning more than half a century. He had a long history in the
theater, making his stage debut in 1956 and later gained small screen roles
in popular shows like "Casualty," "Eastenders," and "Doctors." Gallager died of
pneumonia on November 27, 2016, at the age of 87. Critically acclaimed British actor Tim
Pigott-Smith had a small but memorable role in the third season of "Downton Abbey". He played
Sir Philip Tapsell, a specialist obstetrician recommended by the Dowager Countess of Grantham
to oversee Lady Sybil Branson through childbirth. However, Tapsell's arrival at Downton Abbey causes
conflict when he disagrees with the family's usual physician, Doctor Clarkson. Clarkson fears that
Sybil is suffering from a dangerous condition and needs to deliver the baby immediately,
whereas Tapsell is convinced everything is fine. "There is no danger whatsoever." Despite Clarkson's worry that
Sybil is suffering from eclampsia, Tapsell's certainty that Clarkson is wrong
prevents the family from taking her to the hospital. Unfortunately for everyone, Clarkson
was right, and she dies after giving birth. Though Pigott-Smith only guest-starred in
the one episode, his contribution to "Downton Abbey's" legacy was pivotal. The consequences of
Sybil's death reverberated throughout the series, affecting all of the main
cast in significant ways. Pigott-Smith sadly died in April 2017
at the age of 70. In the year prior, the actor was made an OBE, or an Officer of the
Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, by Her Majesty The Queen. He was also nominated for
a Tony Award for his role in "King Charles III." Nicky Henson joined the cast of "Downton Abbey"
in season 1 as the broken-down former stage entertainer Charles Grigg. Grigg arrives
in the first season looking for money and a place to hide after committing a petty crime.
He forces the Crawley's butler, Carson, to help him by threatening to reveal his former friend's
theatrical past. It turns out the pair used to perform as "The Cheerful Charlies" duo. However,
Lord Grantham eventually sends Grigg packing. Grigg later returns in Season 4 hoping to make
amends with Carson. His reappearance brings up past trauma for Carson, but they work through
it, and the pair eventually part as friends. Like his "Downton Abbey" character, Henson
spent most of his career on the stage, performing in classics like "Romeo and
Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." He also had a very memorable appearance
on "Fawlty Towers" as Mr. Johnson, a hotel guest hiding women in his room
right under the nose of Basil Fawlty. In 2019, Henson died of cancer-related
complications after living with the disease for almost twenty years.
The year before, the actor had said, "For the last 18 years, I've regarded
myself as being in extra time, which I never expected to have,
so I'm very thankful for it." Christopher Rozycki played Count Nikolai Rostov
in the fifth season of "Downton Abbey." Rostov is one of several Russian refugees whom
Lady Rose is trying to help. In Episode 3, Rose invites them to Downton for tea, but their
arrival inadvertently reveals a secret about the Dowager. She admits she almost left her
husband many years before for Prince Kuragin, who is now a refugee. The episode highlights
the Crawley family's sympathy toward the Russian monarchy and shows how deep
their ties to other elite families are. Rozycki didn't get the opportunity
to return to "Downton Abbey" after his three-episode stint on the series
because, in 2015, he sadly died after an accidental fall at the age of 71. He is survived
by his wife Joanna Hole and their four children. "Downton Abbey" was one of Rozycki's last roles
before he died. The others were a guest appearance in the comedy-drama "Stella" and a supporting
role in docu-drama "The Honorable Rebel." Before appearing in the period drama, Rozycki had a
main role in prime-time medical drama "Casualty." Actor and singer Jane Wenham was best known
for her theater roles in London's West End stage house The Old Vic. After a successful
career that spanned over six decades, she died at the age of 90 in 2018. Wenham was a versatile
actor who performed everything from Shakespeare to Sophocles and anything in between. She quickly
transitioned into television and film too, scoring guest roles on shows like
"General Hospital" and "Inspector Morse." In "Downton Abbey," Wenham played
Mrs. Bates, the mother of John Bates. She appeared in Season 1 when she met with
Anna Smith to expose Bates' estranged wife Vera's criminal past. Her son took the
blame for his wife's crimes out of guilt. "He felt he'd ruined Vera's life, Miss Smith." "Do you agree with him?" "No, I thought she was a nasty piece of work." Though Mrs. Bates only had a brief
appearance on "Downton Abbey," she helped to set the relationship of one
of the series' favorite couples in motion. Their meeting confirms Anna's steadfast
belief that Bates is a good man, and it gives her hope that the
pair could have a future together. Ronald Pickup was best known for his role as
Norman Cousins in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and its sequel. However, "Downton Abbey"
fans will remember Pickup for his guest appearance as Sir Michael Reresby in the sixth and final
season of the show. Reresby is introduced in Episode 3 as an eccentric old man in need of a
butler for his dilapidated estate, Dryden Park. Lord Grantham and Mr. Carson encourage
the Downton under-butler, Thomas Barrow, to interview for the job as a means
to downsize staff at the Abbey. Reresby is initially thrilled to
have Barrow as his new butler. But after Barrow points out his job advertisement
doesn't quite match the job description, Reresby jumps to assuming his political leanings. "I can't risk a republican in this
household when anyone might call." "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm not
quite up to it, philosophically." The pair quickly part ways. However, this
appearance on "Downton Abbey" was just a stop along the way for Pickup, who has a long list of
credits under his belt, including supporting roles in other prominent period dramas. The actor played
the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Netflix series "The Crown" and former British Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain in "The Darkest Hour." On February 24, 2021, Pickup died peacefully after
a long illness. His agent provided a statement, saying the actor passed away, quote, "surrounded
by his wife and family. He will be deeply missed". After failing to get the job with Sir Michael
Reresby at Dryden Park, Thomas Barrow is hired by Sir Mark Stiles, played by Belfast-born actor
James "Jimmy" Greene. Greene appears in the last episode of Season Six but is somewhat of a
trying boss for Barrow, who is underwhelmed by his new job. Sir Mark clearly likes for
things to be done properly and is not happy that Barrow is letting his duties fall to another
member of the staff when he needs an evening off. "Mrs. Jenkins will carry up the tea." "The cook carrying the tea into the drawing-room?" Luckily for Barrow, that's the last we see
of Sir Mark as Barrow is enticed back to Downton Abbey to replace Carson,
who decides it is time to retire. Prior to his guest appearance in "Downton
Abbey," Greene had been busy bagging roles in a variety of popular British shows like
"Merlin," "Doctor Who," and "Call the Midwife" He also appeared in feature films like
"Sherlock Holmes" and "Les Misérables." During his 40 year career, Greene also
spent time performing on London's West End. In January 2021, at the age of 89, Greene died after briefly suffering from
an undisclosed illness. He is remembered by the Belfast Telegraph as a, quote,
"staple of TV and film for many years." Check out one of our newest
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