Laura Carmichael as Edith Crawley
She plays the homely middle sister pining for a homely older gent, but in real life the 26-year-old actress, who was working as a receptionist before she was plucked for the part, is more fab than drab.
Downton Abbey Stars: What They Look Like in Real Life
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Jessica Brown Findlay as Sybil Crawley
As the youngest sister, Sybil rebelled against her hoity-toity upbringing and eloped with her family's chauffeur last season. Findlay, 23, who plays the modern-thinking Crawley, seems to share her character's spunk: She appears nude in Labyrinth, a British miniseries set to air later this year, and this winter, she's filming opposite Russell Crowe and Colin Farrell in A Winter's Tale.
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Michelle Dockery as Mary Crawley
As the pampered and privileged eldest Crawley sister, the 31-year-old actress somehow makes snooty seem appealing.
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Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley
The dapper Cousin Crawley charms onscreen and off. Stevens, 30, is currently starring opposite Jessica Chastain in the Broadway play The Heiress.
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Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley
On Downton Abbey, McGovern, 51, rules the roost as the unflappable matriarch of the family. In real life, she performs with her acoustic rock band, Sadie and the Hotheads, even sharing a venue with Bruce Springsteen and Paul at the Isle of Wight Festival last summer.
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Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley
Whether he's buttoned-up in white-tie or kicking back in a button-down, Bonneville, 49, always looks distinguished.
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Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley
The dowager countess rules with an iron fist and sharp tongue. And yet Maggie Smith's Violet Crawley may arguably be the most popular character on Downton.
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Rob James-Collier as Thomas
He plays a conniving footman-turned-valet, but the 36-year-old actor is more dashing than dastardly in real life.
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Joanne Froggatt as Anna
As housemaid Anna, Froggatt is rarely seen out of her apron. The 32-year-old actress more than makes up for her character's dowdiness by donning designer duds in real life. In the Jan. 4 issue of T Magazine, she even cops to a collection of fancy shoes that include Jimmy Choos and Moschinos.
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Sophie McShera as Daisy
She's a lovably ditzy, always disheveled scullery maid on the show but the 26-year-old actress who plays her sure cleans up pretty.
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Siobhan Finneran as O'Brien
Who can blame O'Brien for being so mean and moody? The maid has to deal with a restrictive uniform and unattractive sideburns. Thankfully, Finneran, the 47-year-old actress who plays her, gets to take off the sideburns in real life.
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