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Downton Abbey: Richard E. Grant And Anna Chancellor Join The Cast Of ITV's Award-Winning Hit Drama For Fifth Series

Look Who's Heading To 'Downton'...
Matt Bagwell
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The fifth series of 'Downton Abbey' will see a few familiar faces joining the cast including 'Withnail And I' star Richard E.Grant and Anna Chancellor of 'Four Weddings And A Funeral' fame.

ITV confirmed that Richard - who is also currently starring in hit US drama 'Girls' - will play Simon Bricker who visits Downton as a guest of the Granthams.

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Richard E. Grant and Anna Chancellor

Anna Chancellor will also have a guest role, playing Lady Anstruther. The BAFTA-nominated actress's latest role comes hot on the heels of her recent success in London's West End in 'Private Lives'. She is more widely known for her roles in 'The Hour' and 'Four Weddings And A Funeral'.

QUIZ: Which 'Downton' character are you?

Another new addition to the cast is internationally acclaimed actor Rade Sherbedgia ('Eyes Wide Shut', 'Snatch', 'The Saint' and 'Taken 2') who will play a refugee who has fled the Russian revolution after the First World War.

Dame Harriet Walter will also be making a return to reprise her role as Lady Shackleton, along with Peter Egan, returning as Lord Flintshire.

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The cast of 'Downton Abbey'

'Downton Abbey' Executive Producer Gareth Neame, said: “We are delighted to welcome these talented actors to the world of Downton. The characters they play are set to bring yet more excitement and intrigue to the show."

As well as filming an eight-part fifth series, Downton Abbey will return at Christmas 2014 with another feature length episode.

Downton Abbey series 4 LA press launch
Sophie McShera(01 of19)
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Sophie McShera, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Laura Carmichael(02 of19)
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Laura Carmichael, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Michelle Dockery(03 of19)
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Michelle Dockery, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Laura Carmichael(04 of19)
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Actress Laura Carmichael of "Downton Abbey" poses for a portrait at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Joanne Froggatt(05 of19)
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Joanne Froggatt, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Phyllis Logan(06 of19)
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Phyllis Logan, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Joanne Froggatt(07 of19)
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Phyllis Logan, left, Joanne Froggatt, center, and Sophie McShera, cast members in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," pose together at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Joanne Froggatt(08 of19)
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Joanne Froggatt, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," makes a point during a panel discussion on the show at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera(09 of19)
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Sophie McShera, right, and Phyllis Logan, cast members in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," take part in a panel discussion on the show at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Sophie McShera(10 of19)
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Sophie McShera, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Joanne Froggatt(11 of19)
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Phyllis Logan, left, Joanne Froggatt, center, and Sophie McShera, cast members in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," pose together at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael(12 of19)
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Michelle Dockery, left, and Laura Carmichael, cast members in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," pose together at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Laura Carmichael, Sophie McShera, Michelle Dockery, Phyllis Logan, Joanne Froggatt(13 of19)
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Left to right, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Phyllis Logan, Joanne Froggatt and Sophie McShera, cast members in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," pose together at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael(14 of19)
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Michelle Dockery, left, and Laura Carmichael, cast members in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," pose together at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Phyllis Logan(15 of19)
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Phyllis Logan, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Joanne Froggatt(16 of19)
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Joanne Froggatt, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," makes a point during a panel discussion on the show at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Laura Carmichael(17 of19)
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Laura Carmichael, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Laura Carmichael(18 of19)
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Phyllis Logan, left, Sophie McShera, center, and Laura Carmichael, cast members in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," take part in a panel discussion on the show at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Michelle Dockery(19 of19)
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Michelle Dockery, a cast member in the Masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," poses at the PBS Summer 2013 TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)

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