Actress Phyllis Logan: It was definitely the right time to end Downton Abbey
ACTRESS Phyllis is best known for her role as housekeeper Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey, which draws to a close this Christmas.
Before that she starred in a succession of films and was also known for her eight-year stint as Lady Jane Felsham in TV drama Lovejoy. Phyllis, 59, is married to actor Kevin McNally with whom she has a 19-year-old son, David. They live in Chiswick, west London.
I hope that people don’t just see me as the go-to housekeeper from here on in. I’d like to do lots of different things now
Do you think it’s the right time for Downton Abbey to end?
Downton has continually exceeded my expectations – we all signed up for three series to begin with, then we were asked back for a fourth, fifth and sixth. If they had asked me to do a seventh, I would have because I love it.
But it was definitely the right time to end it. Everyone was in agreement that we wanted to finish on a high, while there was still an appetite for it.
Are you glad that Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes got married?
I am, but I didn’t see it coming. We were never given a story arc or told where our characters were going. To give you an idea, when we filmed last year’s Christmas special, we were only given the script a week beforehand!
What can we look forward to in the final episode, on Christmas Day?
In terms of Mrs Hughes, she’ll reach a resolution that is unexpected in some ways and could be perceived as rather challenging. But I think it’s the right thing. I can’t say any more than that!
The episode will be very festive, too – there might even be a sprinkling of snow…
Will everyone get a happy ending?
My lips are sealed. But I don’t think the ending will cause mass hysteria, on the scale of Matthew Crawley dying on Christmas Day. There are resolutions, but they aren’t all tied up nicely in a parcel.
What are your thoughts on a Downton Abbey film?
I think it’d be wonderful. For one, it would look absolutely gorgeous on the big screen. I think you would have to put the characters in a new situation, though; you couldn’t just pick up where you left off.
Julian Fellowes gives Downton Abbey movie update
Do you have a desire to do something completely different next?
Yes. I hope that people don’t just see me as the go-to housekeeper from here on in. I’d like to do lots of different things now – TV, film, radio. I’d do any well-written part – even a zombie film!
Downton Abbey Series 6 is out on DVD and Blu-ray from November 16.
