Watch a teaser of George Clooney’s Downton Abbey debut for ITV’s “Text Santa” charity campaign.
Our friends in the UK have already finished up series 5 of Downton Abbey and can expect the Christmas Special to air on ITV on December 25. But us Downton fans in the U.S. won’t have to wait much longer before we get to enjoy all the upstairs/downstairs drama too–season 5 premieres on Sunday, January 4, 2015 on PBS/Masterpiece. But to help tide us over, take a look at this little treat.
Earlier this summer, there were rumors that George Clooney might be making an appearance on Downton Abbey. Clooney and Hugh Bonneville were co-stars in the film The Monuments Men, so it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to believe George would want to venture into 1920’s England for a period of time.
Well, it turns out the rumors were partially true–Clooney filmed a short film with the Downton cast for ITV’s “Text Santa” charity campaign, which raises money for the Alzheimer’s Society, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Teenage Cancer Trust, Together for Short Lives, and WellChild. The full sketch will air on ITV on December 19 at 8pm, but take a look at this little teaser. In the clip, we see Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) speaking to (presumably) Lord Grantham about dinner plans. He turns around to respond, and…
Clooney’s face is aces! And I love seeing Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Lady Rose (Lily James) in the background, just hanging out like everything’s normal.
Our UK friends should definitely tune into “Text Santa” on ITV to see the whole short film. And *fingers crossed* that ITV will share it online so non-UK fans can enjoy as well!
Read More: Add some Downton to your holidays with the Christmas at Downton Abbey album.