Americans might like to believe that Britain is a society obsessed with inviolable class divisions.
But Downton Abbey insiders have accused US audiences of showing some snobbishness of their own – complaining that viewers across the Atlantic ‘don’t give a damn’ about the downstairs characters on the show.
Actors who play servants were notable by their absence at the New York premiere of the period drama’s final film outing last week, apparently because they thought they would be treated very differently from those who play the aristocratic Crawleys.
A source said: ‘The high-ups knew American viewers don’t give a damn about the servant characters, so when the New York premiere came along, the hair, make-up and costume people were told not to bother too much with those actors.
‘Some were even told they had to do their own glam. But for the actors who play the Crawleys, they were told to really make them shine.’
The source said the discrepancy made the downstairs cast feel ‘left out in the cold,’ which is why so many decided to snub the premiere, despite coming out in force for the earlier UK gala.
Many of the best-loved cast members did not make the US trip, including Lesley Nicol, 72, who plays cook Mrs Patmore and Jim Carter, 77, who plays butler Mr Carson.
Sophie McShera, 40, aka scullery maid Daisy, also stayed home after complaining there was ‘no point, the Americans all think we’re servants’.
From left to right: Joanne Froggatt, Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern attend the New York Premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale on September 8
Many of the best-loved cast members did not make the US trip, including Lesley Nicol (left) who plays cook Mrs Patmore and Sophie McShera (right) aka scullery maid Daisy
Many cast members decided to snub the New York premiere despite coming out in force for the earlier UK gala (pictured)
The only male star from the downstairs cast to attend was Allen Leech, who plays Branson, the ex-chauffeur who moved up the social ladder by marrying Lady Sybil, while Joanne Froggatt and Raquel Cassidy, Downton’s ladies’ maids, also made an appearance.
But actors playing the Crawleys were out in force, including Hugh Bonneville, 61, who plays Lord Grantham, and his on-screen wife Elizabeth McGovern, 64, who wore a pink-and-orange sequined gown.
A pregnant Michelle Dockery, 43, dazzled in a black off-the-shoulder Dolce & Gabbana frock, while Laura Carmichael, 39, wore a beige wrap dress.
ITV and NBC Universal were asked for comment.
