Hello Morgen! As a fellow Downton Abbey fan, no doubt you are looking forward to the Christmas Special. What would your fantasy storyline be for the plot of that episode, if you were behind it? Mine would be for Carson and Mrs Hughes to finally (please!) get together and for Mr Bates NOT to be revealed as having anything to do with the suspected murder of vile valet Green. I couldn’t face another jail storyline.
Hello, Sam. Thank you for inviting me. They've killed off too many
characters recently so I'd not have any more... which may surprise those who
know me as I do it often enough in my own stories. The Bates' are due some good
fortune but I suspect if they found out they were going to be parents that would
throw another spanner in the proverbial works. It's about time Daisy had some
fun, and Isobel Crawley and the doctor got together.
In your book The Serial Dater’s Shopping List, journalist Isobel MacFarlane must date 31 men in a month and she labels them ‘Mr Could Be Right’, ‘Mr Not Bad.,’ etc – how would you label a couple of the men in Downton, if you got to date them? I would label Thomas Barrow ‘Mr Not On Your Life’!
Ah yes. I remember him from Coronation Street (he's far better in this). Would it
be too sad to say that I like Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) as he was one of
my favourite characters from Notting Hill (one of my favourite films)? He'd be my Mr Safe
(although there's a sparkle in those eyes) and Matthew Crawley my Mr Yum (I was
NOT happy when they bumped him off). The ex-chauffeur, Brandson, is cute too,
although a little young, I fear.
Which character in Downton would you like to take the credit for creating? For me, it has to be the Dowager Countess with her sparkling one-liners.
Words are what make the show and she certainly has some corkers. I do like
women with gumption and that's often where British movies / TV shows excel (dare
I say, without alienating your US readers?) often action/banana skin-reliant US
movies. Isobel gives the Countess a run for her money on more than one occasion
so I'd be proud of her.
Out of everything you have ever written, which character are you most proud of creating and why?
Oh my goodness. Mmm. I've written eight novels and 400+ short stories so
that's a tough one but one that springs to mind is April (from April’s Fool (short story)). She's a tough cookie. Issy (our
aforementioned journalist) is no pushover either and if you / your readers read
the book they'll see she stands up for herself.
Julian Fellowes , the writer of Downton, is also an actor – are you creative in any other way?
I love drawing cartoons, although unlike my writing, I struggle from
imagination. One of my 2014 wish-list items is to draw more (and learn to lip
read - I'm studying the latter locally next month, and for free, as I'm a fellow
tutor!).
Upstairs or downstairs?
Upstairs, I'd love to wear brighter colours and be waited on.
Lady Mary or Edith?
Sorry, Edith, but it has to be Mary - it's her sharp tongue - although
Sybil was feisty. Edith will get her moment, I'm sure. She has had meatier roles
of late.
Mrs Hughes or Mrs Patmore?
Mrs Patmore's hilarious. Mrs Hughes has her moments, and yes, get your act
together Carson!, but it's Mrs P for me. Lucky escape from Mr Tufton
Thanks for joining me, Morgen and enjoy the Christmas Special!You're very welcome, Sam. Thank you for asking me. I look forward to it. (Sky+ planner at the ready).
Based in
Great to see Morgen being interviewed for once. She is such an author's friend :-) Definitely Mrs. P - I agree. But I'd quite like to be downstairs (not the kitchen skivvy, but maybe a housekeeper) because I'd hate all those boring parties upstairs people have to attend. A knees-up is more my line!
ReplyDeleteGood point, Susan - I like dressing up a couple of times a year, but couldn't manage it every night!
ReplyDelete