As Alessandro Nivola prepares to step into the world of Downton Abbey, he shared insights about how his new character integrates into this beloved universe and his excitement about reuniting with former co-stars for the project. Although the series wrapped up in 2015, it was followed by two films that advanced the narrative in 2019 and 2022, with a third installment announced for May 2024.
Alessandro Nivola is widely recognized for his performances in Face/Off, Mansfield Park, Selma, The Many Saints of Newark, and most recently, he portrayed Attila in The Brutalist. As Nivola talk about his part in the forthcoming comedy Fantasy Life at SXSW, he shared some initial insights about his entry into Downton Abbey for the upcoming film.
The actor expressed a mix of nerves about joining the established cast and excitement about reuniting with co-stars Hugh Bonneville, Dominic West, and Paul Giamatti. Nivola also disclosed that his character has a long-standing relationship with Giamatti’s Harold Levinson.
According to Alessandro Nivola, “For once, I’m not portraying a Brit. In Downton Abbey, I don’t take on a British role. It might seem challenging to join a cast that has been together for 15 years, as they have formed a close-knit family. However, I was fortunate to have personal connections with several cast members, such as Hugh Bonneville, who I worked with in Mansfield Park over 20 years ago. Additionally, Dominic West is a long-time family friend and has appeared in my wife’s directed series, The Pursuit of Love.”
Alessandro Nivola further said that, “I’ve known Paul Giamatti since I was around 17, and we truly have a dynamic partnership in the film. Back when I was an undergraduate at Yale, he was studying at the Yale School of Drama, and we performed in several plays together. Our connection deepened when our children attended the same school, solidifying our long-standing friendship. Interestingly, we also both portrayed the Rhino in separate Marvel universes.”
As per Nivola, “It was truly a delight to step into that world alongside them. I must be cautious not to share too much, as it could lead to dire consequences for me, but I can reveal that Paul and I are both from America. He is the brother of Cora, played by Elizabeth McGovern, and resides in New York. I am one of his drinking companions, and we return to the house at the start of the film.”