TV & Satellite Week – 2nd October, 2014

Richard E Grant is appearing in Downton Abbey (ITV, Sunday) as art historian Simon Bricker, who comes to take a peek at the Crawleys’ works of art.

TV & Satellite Week caught up with him to find out more….

How did you feel when you got the role?
“When my agent called and said I’d been offered a role in Downton, I was thrilled, but because I’d played a footman in Gosford Park, I assumed I might be downstairs again, so I was surprised to be served rather than serving!”

So how would you describe Simon Bricker?
“He’s an immensely well-travelled art historian who is invited to Downton to assess the family’s art collection and he is both charming and erudite.”

Did you feel like the new boy on set?
“The Downton cast have all worked together for four years so it was slightly daunting being a newcomer, but they were incredibly welcoming and hospitable.”

You’ve worked with Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern before haven’t you?
“Yes Hugh is hilarious and great company and Elizabeth and I also played husband and wife in The Scarlet Pimpernel back in the last century so it was a real pleasure to work together again.”

What was it like going to Highclere Castle where the series is filmed?
“It felt slightly surreal to be there because it was simultaneously familiar and strange. It’s so cold though! Highclere’s position, whilst very beautiful, means that it is always chilly, even in summer.”

What is the secret to Downton’s success?
“I have watched every series and it’s just fascinating and riveting to eavesdrop on so many people’s lives and experience the social mores and the do’s and don’t’s of a few generations back, with the advantage of historical hindsight.”

What is next for you?
“I’m currently filming an American series called Dig, from the creators of Homeland. It’s set in contemporary Jerusalem and I play an archaeologist.”

TV & Satellite Week – 30 September 2014

Richard E Grant has admitted that he loved sniffing the walls at Highclere Castle when he filmed his four-episode guest role in Downton Abbey as suave art historian Simon Bricker.

The actor has a famously strong sense of smell and even launched his own unisex perfume Jack earlier this year, and he confesses that he is very fond of smelling everything he can, however strange!

“The walls at Highclere have a very distinct smell of wood, varnish, furniture polish, leather and fresh flowers!” Richard tells TV & Satellite Week.

“I’ve compulsively ‘nosed’ everything in sight ever since I can remember, so it was an olfactory delight to be at Highclere. And there was the added bonus of finding new customers in the cast for my perfume!”

The Independent – 28 September, 2014

By Ian Johnson.

Those seeking escapism from modern-day woes in TV’s Downton Abbey were brought back to reality with a jolt when Lord Grantham angrily condemned the character played by Richard E Grant for “flirting with Isis”.

The Isis in question was one of the aristocrat’s two dogs, who is named after the Egyptian goddess of the same name.

However some viewers decided that a Labrador that shared the same name as one of the acronyms used by the extreme Islamist militant group, also known as Isil or IS, was #awkward.

Among them was Isabella Farrell, who tweeted: “Downton Abbey’s writers are probably regretting naming the dog ‘Isis.'”

And Scottish radio presenter Robin Galloway agreed, writing: “Downton Abbey dog is called … Isis. Radicalised Labrador.”

Most saw the funny side with ?@MissSisiG tweeting: “The dog in Downton is called Isis, right? I’m not mishearing that? I know after the Egyptian goddess, but still. Hilarious.”

Jessica Myles-Mills wrote: “‘And can you tell your friend [Simon] Bricker to stop flirting with Isis!’ – took me a moment but I realised he was talking about his dog.”

And Pete Hackett quipped: “The US-led coalition accidentally destroy Downton Abbey after hearing Lord Grantham mention the word Isis.”

There were also some who called for the dog’s name to be changed.

The goddess Isis was one of the most important members of the Egyptian pantheon and was also worshipped across the Roman Empire from England to Afghanistan. She is still revered by some pagans today.

The name Isis is used by a host of different organisations and places – either after the goddess, because of an acronym or simply fondness for what is a first name in some countries.

A drug company, a feminist group at an American University, a superhero, a type of coral, a computer operating system, a song by Bob Dylan, a prison in London and Oxford University’s reserve rowing crew are all called Isis.

16 September, 2014

The Lincolnshire Echo – 9th September, 2014

Gadget Man presenter Richard Ayoade and actor Richard E Grant.

Flying ‘mind-powered’ quadrocopters built by a Lincoln university lecturer will star twice on Channel 4 show Gadget Man.

Television comedy figure and technology fanatic Richard Ayoade has been testing out the remote controlled aircraft built by the University of Lincoln’s Dr John Murray.

In an episode on Monday, September 15, the IT Crowd actor invites celebrity food-lover Adrian Edmondson to a bistro concept with printed food, robot waiters and levitating deserts.

The quadrocopters helped demonstrate how shopping could be flown door to door using mind-powered technology, in the final part of the programme.

Then, the machines will be used by Mr Ayoade and fellow acting star Richard E Grant in another episode, flying them using pure concentration.

That episode will air on Channel 4 at 8.30pm, on Monday, October 6.