Dan Stevens, who played romantic lead Matthew Crawley for the first three seasons of Downton Abbey, has changed his image to that of a Hollywood actor since he left the hit BBC series to pursue a movie career, according to Digital Spy. Stevens has lost weight and added some stubble around the lower regions of his face which would appear to fit in more with the Hollywood look these days.
He was recently in New York City making public appearances for the movie A Walk Among the Tombstones, which is based on a Lawrence Block novel. He is starring in it with Liam Neeson.
He was sporting darker hair and wearing a Calvin Klein suit during his recent New York appearance at an awards ceremony.
After being killed off in an automobile accident to end Season 3 of Downton Abbey, Stevens played opposite Jessica Chastain in a Broadway hit. He is now filming a movie about Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder.
Stevens said he regretted not having been in more movies so far in his career. With his back to back appearances in two movies since Downton he appears well on his way to rectifying that situation.
He is also editing a publication in England now when he finds time between his movies.
Basically unknown before his Downton role as the commoner who transformed himself by marrying into the aristocracy and streamlining the management of Downton Abbey, he has vaulted to the top of the celebrity list as millions of people around the world have followed him the past three years. The debonair lawyer who won the heart of Lady Mary Crawley and the hearts of millions of others on both sides of the Atlantic, took a calculated risk when he declined an offer to sign up for a fourth season of Downton Abbey.
The series was originally scheduled for only three seasons. But that was before the incredible success of the Edwardian dramatic history series which shocked the world by claiming fans in not only Britain, but also the US where it is shown on PBS. Season Four will also be shown in China.
Stevens had a gravy train guaranteed for at least one more year and possibly two had he renewed his contract with the Downton team.
But he has never made a secret of his desire to pursue a movie career although his past has included mainly stage credits.
Whether or not Stevens has the charisma to challenge the success of a Brad Pitt or a Robert Redford as a leading man remains to be seen. However, there is absolutely no doubt he has left his unmistakable signature on the blockbuster hit Downton Abbey. It would be no shock of his millions of fans follow him from the English countryside to theaters around the U.S. as his movies begin to hit the screens.
Fans of Downton Abbey will probably return in droves for the fourth season to see who replaces Matthew Crawley in the affections of Lady Mary and Baby George. Many of them will probably check out Dan Stevens on the movie screens also.
Anyone interested in receiving free updates of future Places and Faces articles should click on the subscribe link above this article. My readers may also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Google.
Comments