'We are providing a public service for those in Downton Distress': Olivia Williams admits her 'unashamed attempt' to be like Maggie Smith as she reveals the violence behind the scenes of new ITV show The Halcyon
The star of the new drama taking up a coveted primetime slot says the show welcomes comparisons to its popular predecessor, Downton Abbey.
Olivia Williams, who plays Lady Hamilton in ITV's The Halcyon, says the stars of the wartime blockbuster are 'providing a public service for those in Downton Distress'.
The actress, who shot to fame in another television period drama - the 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's classic Emma - has spoken out about the thrilling new series livening up Monday evenings.
The Halcyon with Jamie Blackley as Freddie, Olivia Williams as Lady Hamilton and Edward Bluemel as Toby
The Halcyon: The stars of the wartime blockbuster are 'providing a public service for those in Downton Distress'
The 48-year-old also opened up about how her new character bears a striking resemblance to Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.
The Halcyon is Forties intrigue and romance – a love story in the tradition of Casablanca, a wartime adventure in the style of Dame Barbara Cartland.
Like the famous stately home, the luxury hotel provides a self-contained world inhabited by all kinds of characters from contrasting classes, most notably the family of aristocrats that owned The Halcyon and the staff serving them.
Ms Williams told the Mail on Sunday: ‘If we are plugging the Downton gap, then I hope we are providing a public service and much needed relief for those in “Downton distress”.’
Indeed the show does have a strong streak of Downton Abbey, in the scenes where the porters gather for illicit poker games and the waiters swap gossip with the chefs.
The actress as Jane Austen alongside Hugh Bonneville in the BBC's, Miss Austin Regrets
Steven Mackintosh as Richard and Olivia Williams as Lady Hamilton in The Halcyon
The Halcyon hotel: The thrilling new series livening up Monday evenings
And she is not ashamed to admit any comparison to Dowager Countess is a compliment.
'Anything I have done that gives rise to a comparison with Dame Maggie is the result of an unashamed attempt to learn from her impeccable example,' she told the paper.
The actress, who also starred alongside Bruce Willis in the 1999 Hollywood blockbuster The Sixth Sense, will appear in the second episode of the drama on Monday evening.
The star also said audiences can expect an explosive showdown between her character and the manager of the hotel the drama centres around.
She said: ‘Lady Hamilton has been waiting for a chance to take down Mr Garland.
'She has lived in isolation in some grand country pile and drives to London for shopping and social events, but sees the hotel as her husband’s sordid knocking shop, facilitated by Garland.
‘She treats Garland as a grubby combination of tradesman and procurer she has longed to eliminate.
'And when her husband dies, she realises this is her chance.’
- The Halcyon is on ITV tomorrow at 9pm.
Most watched News videos
- Five inmates injured during prison brawl at Chicago jail
- Heartbreaking moment horse cries at owner's funeral
- Al Jazeera Investigations film Shai Masot while undercover
- Woman hilariously struggles to keep her footing on icy driveway
- Inside the epic White House party
- David Blaine to risk electrocution in truly shocking new stunt
- "UFO" has been filmed demonstrating highly unusual behaviour
- Queen attends church for first time since heavy cold
- Hammerhead shark bites whaler in half as fisherman reels in
- Researchers find mysterious giant 'alien claw' in Peru
- Up close and personal with Emma Thynn AKA Lady Weymouth
- Tug of war! Kid struggles to get small pony out of barn
-
Inside the Obamas' final star-studded party: White House...
-
Horrifying moment a truck driver mows down soldiers in...
-
'Is that a RAT?': Woman posts a glamorous selfie of her...
-
72 MILLION are put under a winter storm warning: Three dead...
-
Brad Pitt's fury over leaked court records as friends accuse...
-
'I was sure I was dead': Magician David Blaine's attempt to...
-
Texas mother LAUGHS in her mugshot as she is charged with...
-
Our little miracle of Longleat: Lady Weymouth – Britain’s...
-
'My girl was not raised like that': Grandmother of two black...
-
Hacking cough that can last weeks has struck down thousands...
-
EXCLUSIVE: Chicago torture victim, 18, is asking why 'friend...
-
Sick thug filmed rape of his girlfriend and threatened to...