Jeremy Irons Says 'Downton Abbey' Is Like A Ford Fiesta

Television

by Kevin Jagernauth
January 16, 2013 4:56 PM
9 Comments

It's quiet out there as everyone in Hollywood is en route to the Sundance Film Festival, so here's something that should perk up your eyeballs a little bit. The always awesome Jeremy Irons has weighed in on "Downton Abbey," and if you think the show is the height of writing and drama, Irons has some news for you.

Chatting at the Television Critics Assosciation panel for PBS’s "Shakespeare Uncovered," Irons used the opportunity to take a swipe at the network's hit show. “What I’m really excited about with 'Shakespeare Uncovered' is we’ll see some of the best British actors playing Shakespeare,” Irons enthused. “What you can do is to open up to this huge American audience… show them that actually television doesn’t end with 'Downton Abbey.' If you think that’s good, then watch the Shakespeare productions. You’ll see what real writing, what real stories, what real characters are about.”

He then takes the comparison between Shakespeare's works and the pen of 'Downton' writer Julian Fellowes by adding: “A Ford Fiesta will get you there and give you a good time. But actually an Aston Martin…” Zing.

Reached for comment, Irons' publicist tried to clarify what happened to Entertainment Weekly. “What he said was 'Downton Abbey,' terrific; Shakespeare, the best. I think there would be few who would dispute the point,” she explained. Irons later told The Wrap he's actually never seen an episode of the show. Uh, okay.

But we'll leave it to you. Did Irons truly burn 'Downton' or was it harmless enough? Fun fact: Irons co-starred with Fellowes in Louis Malle's "Damage." [via ONTD]

Television

More: Jeremy Irons, Television, TV News, Downton Abbey

9 Comments

| Reply
PStuddar | March 10, 2013 4:13 AMReply

Want to act like Jeremy Irons? Get a nice thick British accent and then say everything really slow and deliberate like you are just about to yawn but hold back from doing so. Thats it. If you have the accent and can almost yawn as you speak, you may be considered a great actor. No lie.
pstuddar | March 10, 2013 4:05 AMReply

This is for real. I wasn't looking up anything on Downton Abbey but on Jeremy Irons being overrated. He is awful but yet people keep saying how great he is. He's just a very slow speaking actor with an overdone accent. Does the same thing in every movie. Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Day Lewis are insanely good but Jeremy Irons needs to attend the Bore Fest.
pstuddar | March 10, 2013 4:05 AMReply

This is for real. I wasn't looking up anything on Downton Abbey but on Jeremy Irons being overrated. He is awful but yet people keep saying how great he is. He's just a very slow speaking actor with an overdone accent. Does the same thing in every movie. Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Day Lewis are insanely good but Jeremy Irons needs to attend the Bore Fest.
Isobel | January 17, 2013 8:12 PMReply

brideshead revisited is much more complex than downton abbey
MDL | January 16, 2013 10:44 PMReply

He was in Brideshead Revisited way back in 1981 and that's about the same thing. So not sure what he is saying exactly? Maybe he was turned down for a role in Downton Abbey and is bitter about it?
Well | January 16, 2013 9:10 PMReply

Downton is overrated.
immature | January 16, 2013 6:01 PMReply

I'm not sure how that's a swipe. He basically said that Downton is fine but Shakespeare is the real deal. Which you can say comparing most things to Shakespeare.
Df | January 16, 2013 5:13 PMReply

He's a dick
Chris | January 16, 2013 5:03 PMReply

Kevin: I think you missed the bit about Irons admitting he's never even seen an episode of "Downton Abbey."