Henry Talbot & Tom Branson Image: Universal Pictures
There's only a few weeks left until the Downton Abbey movie is released, and newcomer Tuppence Middleton has been dropping hints that love might be in the air for old favourite Branson
Tuppence is set to play newcomer Lady Bagshaw's maid, and other than that not much is known about her character at all. However, during a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, she said: "I play Lucy Smith, she’s the maid of Lady Bagshawe’s [played by Imelda Staunton], and she travels with her to visit Downton along with the royal family. So there’s this whole new group of people that come in, and the Downton regulars have to manage all these new personalities.”
Watch: The Downton Abbey movie trailer
Most excitingly, Middleton teased: “And she also possibly has a little love story with someone…”
Henry Talbot & Tom Branston from the Downton Abbey movie
Fans are spectulating that that someone is none other than Tom Branson, who was left a widower after Sybil Crawley died in season three. Especially after Allen Leech, who plays Branston, said earlier this year: "I felt, and I think a lot of the fans felt, that Tom never got the ending he deserved. I am happy to say I think he does in this.”
Joining the Downton cast
Discussing what it was like joining such an established cast, Middleton said: “You do sort of worry, going into something as big as this, that that it will be cliquey, or the fans won’t accept you, and that any number of things can go wrong.
Read more: What you can expect from the Downton Abbey movie
“But it was so welcoming, and everyone was glad to see some new faces, and for these new characters to come in and affect the lives of some of the beloved characters that have been in the show for years. It adds fresh energy to it I think.”
Lady Mary and Lady Edith Crawley
She added: “It’s such an iconic cast. Sitting at the table read, it was really amazing seeing these faces that I’ve admired for as long as I’ve been working, and even before that, so it was great experience.”