Paul Giamatti joins 'Downton Abbey' season four

By Nick Roman ·

Credit: Getty Images

Downton Abbey continues to add more Yanks to its cast.

Academy Award nominee Paul Giamatti is joining the UK drama as Harold, the brother of Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), and son of Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine, who will reprise her role in this coming season).

Harold is described as a "maverick, playboy" character whose "free-spirit" ways "upset the Grantham's apple cart."

This is a huge gain for the show, as Giamatti is one of the most versatile, talented working actors today -- even if "maverick" and "playboy" aren't necessarily words one would associate with the man. Either way, this should make for a fun addition to the series. And lord knows, after the tragedies of last season, the show could really use Giamatti's manic energy.

Downton Abbey returns to U.K. airwaves in September, with the U.S. premiere to follow on Jan. 5, 2014.

Via: Zap2It

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