Nigel Harman

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom received "a number of complaints" after Sunday's episode of historical period drama Downton Abbey offended many of its viewers with a brutal rape scene.

Joanne Froggatt, AKA Anna Bates, Has Defended Downton's Rape Scene.

The scene that shocked viewers into filing an Ofcom complaint, complaining to ITV or airing their horror via Twitter, involved Joanne Froggatt's character Anna May Bates. Anna rejects the advances of valet Mr. Green (Nigel Harman) and is then struck and then dragged into another room to be attacked whilst her family and Downton's guests enjoy and opera performance upstairs. A bloodied and bruised Anna is then shown crying as she tries to come to terms with the events.

Continue reading: Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt Defends Controversial Rape Storyline

Downton Abbey has shocked and offended many of its viewers after its latest aired episode depicted a rape scene, involving the young character Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt). The controversial television scenes have provoked many viewers to make a complaint, reports BBC News.

Downton Abbey Hit With Complaints From Outraged Viewers.

Ofcom have not specified the exact number of complaints they received but have admitted that "a number of complaints" were made after British viewers were upset by the scenes. ITV apparently received 70 complaints pertaining to the on-screen incident. Additionally, viewers also took to Twitter to voice their disgust at the brutal attack with one Lucy Raine tweeting "I am genuinely so distressed at what just happened on Downton Abbey I feel sick."

Continue reading: Downton Abbey: Viewers Complain After Shocking Rape Storyline

Nigel Harmon has defended the decision to include a shocking rape scene in ITV's Sunday night drama Downton Abbey. Some viewers were left stunned at Harmon's character Mr Green attacked the maid Anna Bates.

The former Eastenders actor dropped into This Morning today to speak about the scene, saying, "It was a shocking storyline and a bold storyline, and something that when I was sent the script and read it I was amazed by and excited by, if that's the right word. For a show like Downton Abbey it really leaps out as a bold and risky idea.

"I've worked with Joanne Froggatt and Brendan before and we got together and had a rehearsal with and had a rehearsal with Catherine Morshead the director, and we just went for it."

Continue reading: Nigel Harman Defends Downton Abbey's Brutal, Perhaps Misplaced Rape Scene

Bosses behind the major British period drama Downton Abbey - which has also proved a huge hit stateside - have moved quickly to tie down the show's biggest stars in a bid to avoid another Dan Stevens-esque exit.

According to The Sun, stars including Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern have signed three year deals worth over £1 million each. The move was made to avoid another cast member leaving in the same way that Stevens did last year.

The 30-year-old, who played Matthew Crawley, was the ITV drama's major draw though left abruptly to pursue other interests. The actor is a keen fan of literature and has narrated several audiobooks including The Angel's Game, Wolf Hall and War Horse. In 2012, he was a member of the judging panel for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and is currently editor-at-large for The Junket, an online quarterly is co-founded.

Continue reading: Downton Abbey Hands Out Golden Deals To Avoid Dan Stevens Style Exits

Tom Cullen is among the actors stepping into the Downton Abbey world, with the producers of the UK period drama announcing that it’s all change, ahead of its fourth series – with more a handful of new faces mixing with the regulars on the award-winning show.

Those who’ve been watching Charlie Brooker’s warped modern-day drama trilogy Black Mirror on Channel 4 recently will recognize Cullen, who starred in the third and final episode of the first season, and he’ll be joined on Downton by former Eastenders actor Nigel Harman. Harman played Denis Rickman in the BBC One soap and, according to The Huffington Post, he’ll be transferring to the ITV drama as a visiting valet called Green. Cullen, meanwhile, has been cast as Lord Gillingham, an old family friend who, it’s being rumoured, could become a potential new love interest for Lady Mary (played, of course, by Michelle Dockery.)

Continue reading: British Actor Tom Cullen Joins The 'Downton Abbey' Series 4 Cast

It’s all change at Downton Abbey ahead of series four of the UK version of the period drama, with a couple of high profile actors stepping into the award-winning show.

It’s been revealed that joining the cast will be Eastenders man Nigel Harman as well as Tom Cullen – who you’ll recognize from Black Mirror if you’ve been watching the latest trilogy of Charlie Brooker’s warped modern-day drama. In Eastenders, Harman played Denis Rickman in the BBC One soap, but according to The Huffington Post, his transferral to the ITV drama will see him playing a visiting valet called Green. For Cullen meanwhile, he’s been cast as Lord Gillingham, who is apparently an old family friend who is also set to act as a new potential love interest for Lady Mary (played by Michelle Dockery.) Additionally, Dame Harriet Walters is set to join the cast as Lady Shackelton, who is a friend of Maggie Smith’s Dowager.

Continue reading: Nigel Harman Among New Cast Joining Downton Abbey Season 4

RONNIE CORBETT has long spoken highly of his grandson, Tom, in the past and yesterday, for the first time, he was accompanied by the youngster – who shares an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather – as the two were out in London.

Attending the opening night of the new play A Chorus of Disapproval, the 81-year-old British comedy legend Ronnie stood in the shadows of his towering, 23-year-old grandson as they rubbed shoulders with some of London’s most glamorous celebs and socialites.

In the past, the pair have accompanied each other to Edinburgh fringe festival together to watch up and coming comedians, with Tom inheriting his grandfather’s love for comedy. As well as this, the public first became aware of Tom and his grandfather’s loving attitude towards him when in 2000 Ronnie phoned a BBC Radio 4 phone-in discussion being held with former education secretary David Blunkett in order for him to discuss his grandson's battle with dyslexia.

Continue reading: Ronnie Corbett And His Grandson Hit The Red Carpet Together!