Sue Johnston cast as Maggie Smith’s maid in ‘Downton’
By Nick Levine
Sue Johnston has joined the cast of Downton Abbey.
The much-loved actress, known for her roles in Brookside, Coronation Street and The Royle Family, will play a new character called Denker – Lady’s Maid to Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess.
The fifth series of Downton Abbey will begin on ITV this September.
Other new additions to the cast include Richard E Grant and Anna Chancellor, while Harriet Walter is confirmed to be returning as Lady Shackleton, a character she originated in the last series of the hit period drama.
Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton and the rest of the regular cast will all be back for the new run too.
Johnston, 70, left Coronation Street in February of this year having played Gloria Price since 2012.