Downton Abbey

Bad News For Mr. Bates: Downton Abbey’s Brendan Coyle Banned From Driving After Being Caught Behind the Wheel Drinking!

February 12, 2016

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

As viewers in the U.S. watch Downton Abbey’s sixth and final season on PBS Masterpiece, one of the series favorite actors, Brendan Coyle (Mr. Bates) has been in the news cycle the last 24 hours with some troubling news.

Coyle, who plays Lord Grantham’s (Hugh Bonneville) stoical valet who always seems to land in trouble on-screen, has gotten in serious trouble with the law off-screen. The actor was banned from driving for more than four years after he was found to be nearly three times over the drink-drive limit while driving home after flying back from a Thailand rehabilitation clinic for alchocol abuse. He was reportedly drinking on the flight.

In the UK, the ‘Downton’ star appeared before King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court under his real name of David Coyle. He was stopped by police in his BMW on the A149 near King’s Lynn on January 1st of this year.

Not only was Brendan banned from driving for 50 months, but ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also given a 12-month community order with 15 days rehabilitation activity to be supervised by a probation officer.

So, what do you think of this news regarding one of our favorite stars from Downton Abbey? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Sprite

I wish him well in his quest for a successful recovery. I also wish this wasn’t important to the media as his health and legal problems have no bearing on his art as a performer.

Mark Y

This has nothing to do with the soaps and there’s no reason for it being reported here.

Michael (not Fairman)

Downton Abbey’s not a soap? I disagree with you there.

Mark Y

Downton is a grand and epic soap but Mr. Coyle’s personal troubles off screenhave nothing to do with it and this should be treated as a private matter.

Rebecca1

Mark Y…last we all checked this was Michael Fairman’s site. We’re just “guests ” here so I think Michael kinda knows what falls under the category. It’s a UK, PBS broadcast to America, limited to much less years than the American daytime stories…posh soap. Sorta. Lol…it’s all good. Great show. Sad to see it end.

Michael (not Fairman)

But if the mainstream media is going to report things like this (and of course they will), why wouldn’t the soap media, this site included?

And it’s not as though this is the only incident like this one that this site has reported; Mr. Coyle is not being singled out for coverage. When soap stars make the news, even in a negative light, it usually gets reported on here. Most recently in regard to Downton, I remember a story about Michelle Dockery’s fiance passing away. Not really any of my business any more than Mr. Coyle’s legal troubles, but I was glad it was covered and was very sad for her loss.

I’m not necessarily saying it’s right, mind you—in general, I agree that we know far too much about most TV and movie stars’ lives—just that it would seem odd to me if something newsworthy happened to a soap star and I saw coverage elsewhere in general media but nothing about it on here on a site devoted to soaps.

Mary SF

But neither does MB appearing on Dr OZ for his bipolar disorder,or ED family member passing away and both are listed on this site as recent threads– like it or not, soaps sites are as much about the personal life of the actors who play on the soaps as it is the soaps themselves— all I can suggest is if you not interested in any actor’s personal life avoid those threads and just read those that relate to the shows and or their stories.

However Mr. Fairman knows many viewers are interested the actors who work on the soaps and he includes these type of threads for their benefit—and he only reports on what is already been made public, which Mr. Coyle’s arrest did– it is not like TMZ that makes up stories and or exploits them. This site is only reporting what anyone with a search engine will find out if they type in this man’s name. Sadly this is the age we live in.

Rebecca1

Oh poor Mr. Bates…Anna’s not going to be able to save you this time. And as much as I love the character, it’s sad news to learn of his addiction. Dangerous to himself…and apparently others. He deserves to lose his driving privileges, but he also needs more help. Too ironic that he was driving under the influence on his way home from rehab. Unless he never attended any meetings?

Hope this fine actor can find his way….

jaybird369

Oh, here we go (Y-E-T!!!!!) once again…another celebrity busted for drinking and driving!!!!! When, oh, when will these fools ever learn?!?!?!?!?! Dumb as hell.

Michael (not Fairman)

“Dumb as hell” is a little harsh, but I have to agree with you that as much publicity as DUI has had over the last ten to twenty years, it’s hard to understand how people (famous or not) keep making this same mistake. I’m quite aware that alcohol impairs judgment, but isn’t that an argument for even greater vigilance if you’re out somewhere in public consuming alcohol and you drove to get there? Or even if you’re at home consuming alcohol and you know you’re going to need to drive within a few hours? (And by that I mean: if there’s even the slightest question you’ll be able to retain enough judgment to make a sound decision about driving, you choose not to drink. Some people’s judgment about what shape they are in is more impaired than other people’s; know which group you fall in and act accordingly.)

I will just be thankful—again—that nobody was killed or seriously hurt and hope that this is a wake-up call for him.

Shay

And this is not the first instance of Mr. Coyle’s utter disregard for the rest of humanity, jaybird369! There were numerous reports in the British press how filming had to be repeatedly postponed/cancelled on the Downton Abbey set because “Mr. Bates” was in such a shambolic state from his out-of-control drinking that he couldn’t even deliver or remember his lines. Hence though I found his “downstairs duo” with Anna to be a very absorbing tale, I often felt that his trademark brooding intensity was more real-life baggage than great acting….same goes for Joanne Froggatt’s unquestionably fine performances as his endlessly patient and supportive spouse….there were times she seemed so nervous and on edge for fear of setting off his foul temper….must have been a case of art imitating life….and yes, I intended that particular saying to be opposite to the usual fashion. Such an complete shame, too….this show has been an international smash hit, made mostly appreciative stars of its cast and to see it sullied by such belligerent behavior is beyond the pale. Julian Fellowes must have been an absolute saint to have put up with this conduct instead of just writing out the character of John Bates for good!

Jody Ruby

I’ll keep Mr. Coyle in my prayers and am proud of his decision to put his health first. He is one of the most talented actors in the world and I’m looking forward to watching him on Acorn and Hulu for many years to come.

Breaking News

‘Downton Abbey’ The Movie Releases Its First Trailer

December 14, 2018

Now here’s a huge teaser that will get you wanting to see more! Those of us who loved the British period soap opera, Downton Abbey, which came to a conclusion after its sixth season on PBS here in the United States, will finally get their wish when the film version hits in 2019.

As previously reported, the series executive producer Gareth Naeme said about the film, “We aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen.”

Look for the film to land in movie theatres on Friday, September 20th, 2019, with it debuting internationally the week prior on Friday, September 13th.

Most of the cast is intact including: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, David Haig, Geraldine James, Robert James-Collier, Simon Jones, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Tuppence Middleton, Stephen Campbell Moore, Lesley Nicol, Kate Phillips, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton.

Julian Fellowes once again writes the script for the film for the characters he created for the TV series.

Now check out the first trailer below, when just hearing that memorable opening theme song, it brought us back to the drama and the romance of Downton Abbey.

Let us know if you are thrilled to know that the movie is set for release …. and if you are looking forward to seeing what happens to the Crawleys and others in the next chapter of their story when the movie comes your way via the comment section below.

Breaking News

IT’S OFFICIAL: Downton Abbey The Movie To Go Into Production This Summer

July 13, 2018

The highly-anticipated and rumored revival of Downton Abbey to the big screen is on! Production is slated to begin later this summer.

From what we understand, all of the original cast is set to reprise their signature roles in the motion picture, written by series creator Julian Fellowes.

Fellowes will also serve as the executive producer along with other ‘Downton’ notables behind the scenes: Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge, and Nigel Marchant. Brian Percival is set to direct. Percival also directed the pilot episode of the critically-acclaimed and beloved period soap opera series.

In a statement, Gareth Neame expressed: “When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production. Julian’s script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival’s hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen.”

Focus Features chairman, Peter Kujawski, shared: “Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter. We’re thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen.”

Downton Abbey ran for six seasons on PBS and received 15 Primetime Emmy awards and 69 nominations.

Actress Joanne Froggatt, who plays maid Anna Bates, took to Twitter with much enthusiasm at the news: “Delighted to announce we’re getting the band back together! #DowntonMovie #DowntonAbbey”

So, thrilled to hear the Downton Abbey movie is happening? Comment below.

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey Movie Project Moving Forward; Projected For Production In 2018

June 23, 2017

Courtesy/PBS

It looks like all of those earlier reports months ago about a production being put together for Downton Abbey: The Movie, may finally becoming to fruition. Numerous items detail that motion picture project is moving forward with production slated for sometime next year.

Michael Edelstein, president at NBCUniversal International Studios, told the AP: “We are working on getting the script right and then we’ve got to figure out how to get the (cast) together. Because as you know, people go on and do other things. But we’re hopeful to make a movie sometime next year.”

Currently, the cast and writer Julian Fellowes have been on hand at the Downton Abbey exhibition which debuted in Singapore. However, some notable members of the company seemed surprised by the news including Laura Carmichael (Edith): “Well, tell my agent, because we’re still waiting to know. We’re hoping that will happen soon.”

Variety reports that an NBCUniversal spokesman confirmed the studio hopes to put the movie into production in 2018.

The Downton Abbey exhibition however, is set to travel to the United States and Australia with dates to be announced. (more…)