London, 11 August 2015: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has honoured Downton Abbey with a Special Award at a BAFTA Tribute event this evening, celebrating the outstanding global success of the programme.
Julie Walters presented the Award to executive producers Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge and Julian Fellowes in front of a live audience of past and present cast and crew from the series at the Richmond Theatre in Surrey. The current cast were in attendance, including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Penelope Wilton, Jim Carter and Joanne Froggatt, as well as previous cast members including Dan Stevens, Nigel Harmon and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
The BAFTA Tribute was hosted by Jonathan Ross and filmed for a special programme entitled BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey, to be broadcast later this year on ITV. The Tribute featured a performance from opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who played Dame Nellie Melba in series four of Downton Abbey.
Further details on BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey, which includes tributes from celebrity fans around the world and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from one of the most successful British television series, will be revealed by the channel nearer transmission.
Following the event the cast and crew attended an after party hosted by BAFTA and NBC Universal, catered by rhubarb on Richmond Green.
On hearing that Downton Abbey was to be honoured with the Special Award, Gareth Neame, executive producer of the show and Managing Director of Carnival Films, said: “As Downton Abbey moves towards its conclusion with the final season this autumn, I speak for the entire cast and crew when I say how honoured we are that the Academy will recognise the show with this Special Award. Not only is Downton a much-loved show in Britain, it has had huge success in both the US and right around the world, waving the flag for Britain and our creative content and that’s why the BAFTA recognition means so much to us all.”
Peter Fincham, ITV’s Director of Television, said: “It’s fair to say that over the past six years Downton Abbey has become a phenomenon. It is much loved by not only ITV viewers but also by countless others around the world. I am thrilled for everyone at Carnival Films and the entire team involved in the production that they have been honoured by BAFTA with this Tribute and Special Award.”
Michael Edelstein, President of NBCUniversal International Studios, sponsor of the after party, said: “We are so proud of the entire cast and crew who have all played a role in earning BAFTA’s Special Award. Downton Abbey is nothing short of a global cultural phenomenon, whose compelling storylines and characters are beloved by millions around the world. Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame’s sublime drama has secured its place as a beacon of British creativity that will live on for decades to come.”
Carnival Films is part of NBCUniversal International Studios.
Red carpet footage is available from PA, AP and ITN Source. Special Award presentation footage is available from ITN Source. Photography is available via Rex Features and BAFTA.
For more information, contact:
Nick Williams at BAFTA
T 020 7292 5848
E [email protected]
Gary Smith at ITV
T 0207 157 3016
E [email protected]
Una Maguire at Milk Publicity
T 020 7520 1087
E [email protected]
