MacLaine to participate 'Downton Abbey'

Shirley MacLaine is joining the cast of worldwide TV phenom "Downton Abbey." She'll play a completely new character, Lady Grantham's mother Martha Levinson, inside the third season in the Julian Fellowes-scripted U.K. costume drama, which begins filming later. The casting underlines the impact "Downton Abbey," created by NBCUniversal-possessed Circus, is constantly make on sides in the Atlantic -- too as with TV areas around the globe. Circus controlling director Gareth Neame mentioned: "My late grandfather (Ronald Neame) directed Shirley MacLaine in 'Gambit' in 1966, therefore it is a delight personally they will probably be joining us on 'Downton Abbey.' Julian has written another brilliant character in Martha Levinson, who certainly are a great combatant for Maggie Smith's dowager countess, which we're excited in the options of Shirley MacLaine playing her.""Downton Abbey" plays on PBS Stateside and also on commercial broadcaster ITV inside the U.K.ITV director of drama Laura Mackie, who commissioned the show, mentioned, "It is so exciting by having an actress of Shirley MacLaine's stature joining our brilliant 'Downton Abbey' cast for series three together with a tribute for the show's success on sides in the Atlantic."MacLaine's deal was brokered by ICM. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com