Hugh Bonneville rules out return to two of his most beloved roles

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Hugh Bonneville doesn’t plan to reprise his roles in Paddington or Downton Abbey, explaining that those parts now call for a younger actor, though he acknowledges others could take them on.

So, I just heard that I probably won’t be back as Mr. Brown in any more Paddington movies, which is a bummer. I also talked a bit about what’s next for my character, Robert Crawley, after we wrapped up Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale last year. It’s weird thinking about moving on from both of those roles!

I was chatting with Saga Magazine recently, and they asked me about playing Mr. Brown again. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll be revisiting the role. It’s been amazing, I’ve really loved working on Paddington, but I’m starting to feel my age, you know?

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He admitted the role is physically demanding and better suited for someone younger, but believes other actors could still pull it off successfully, as the focus is really on the bear itself.

Regarding the future of Downton Abbey, Bonneville confirmed he won’t be reprising his role as the Earl of Grantham. While he anticipates potential spin-offs, he believes the original cast’s story has come to a natural conclusion.

The very last episode truly felt like a goodbye. As filming wrapped up, I made a point of looking around each set – like the library – one last time, just so I could preserve the memory.

I absolutely adore Downton Abbey. It’s amazing getting messages every day about how much the show meant to people – it makes me incredibly proud. Honestly, working on Downton really opened doors for me, and it’s how I ended up getting the chance to work on Paddington – which is wild to think about!

After appearing in the first Paddington film in 2014, Bonneville continued his role in the sequels released in 2017 and 2024.

Paddington is getting a fourth movie to celebrate 70 years of the character, but it’s doubtful Hugh Bonneville will be involved after his recent comments.

Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal and Deputy CEO of Canal+, recently confirmed that a fourth film is in the works. She also mentioned they are developing future movies, a new TV series, and a stage musical in collaboration with Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley.

The latest issue of Living Legends is out now, and it’s dedicated to the incredible Dolly Parton! You can find “Dolly at 80” in newsagents or order it online for only £8.99.

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2026-01-20 16:20