Downton Abbey Actresses Dress To Impress For Series 4 Launch

The cast of Downton Abbey got their glad rags on to reveal the secrets of Series 4 to the UK press

Downton Abbey's leading ladies turned out in London last night for the unveiling of Series 4 to the UK press.

Character actresses Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) and Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora) ditched their 1920s attire and donned their modern-day glad rags for the sneak preview of episodes 1 and 2.

Laura and Michelle, both dressed head to toe in black and white, showed off the legs they've been hiding under their 18th century petticoats - Michelle in cigarette-cut black trousers and Laura in a leather mini skirt.

Insiders reveal that this is 'the year of Lady Edith Crawley', Laura's character, who she said earlier this year would be coming of age in the new series as a modern, independent woman embarking on her new writing career.

At the start of series 4 filming, she said: 'She's coming into her own a little bit I think. It's all be ups and downs. But I think after being jilted I think she's thrown it all out the window.'

Laura also revealed that Edith will become more glamorous as the series opens in 1922, saying in the past that she thought of Edith as the 'Carrie Bradshaw of the 1920s'.

She continued: 'I think there will be more styles that people recognise as 1920s and I think it's going to be a really exciting time.'

'I think there will be lots of really glamorous things to get excited about,' she teased.

Meanwhile, at the press launch, Elizabeth stayed modest in a midi length blue lace skirt and some rather autumnal winter boots.

Elizabeth's character Lady Cora is set to be joined by her 'playboy' brother Harold in series 4, a new character who is played by Hollywood actor Paul Giamatti and expected to rock the 'Grantham's apple cart' with his maverick ways.

We're told to expect a whole new host of men in the new series following the shock departure of Matthew Crawley in the Christmas episode.

Look out for Lord Ahnthony and Charles Blake - potential love interests for Lady Mary and Jack Ross - and the first black male lead in the show's history.

We can't wait to see what the new crop of men will do to the Downton women.

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