Charles Dance: I would have loved a part in Downton Abbey
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Suave star Charles Dance has said he would have loved a role in TV hit Downton Abbey but show bosses have never asked him.
The 66-year-old actor, who has previously worked with Downton creator Julian Fellowes in the Oscar-winning Gosford Park, revealed he would now be unwilling to accept a cameo role in the show.
Dance - who now appears in fantasy epic series Game Of Thrones - said he regarded Gosford, which also featured Dame Maggie Smith as a dowager countess, as one of the inspirations for the ITV drama series.
He said: "If I'd been asked to do it I probably would have done it, but I wasn't. I did Gosford Park, which was I think the germ from which Downton Abbey grew, and that was written by Julian.
"Of course, it's enjoying enormous success and it's got a big fanbase - if I was asked to do something in it now it would probably just be to guest in it, and now I wouldn't want to do that."
Dance, whose appearances have included a starring role in acclaimed drama The Jewel In The Crown, now appears as the villainous Lord Lannister in hit HBO drama Game Of Thrones.
He lamented what he felt was a lack of effort to produce quality drama on British television.
He said: "I have to be careful because I tend to get up on a soapbox a bit about this.
"But, especially, the BBC seems to be putting more time and energy into real estate at the moment and junk reality television and stuff.
"We are capable of doing it, we have a lot of very, very skilled people here, but you get what you pay for.
"I think if you make something of real quality people will buy it, and it has a life span, rather than reality television shows that comes and go really quickly."
A third season of Game Of Thrones begins on Sky Atlantic on April 1 while the second series is out on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments