The Moonstone star Jeremy Swift on how Downton Abbey changed his life

Jeremy Swift (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire)

HE thought it would be just a couple of scenes – but it ended up changing his acting life.

Jeremy Swift told iN10 how getting the Abbey habit in Downton had an impact he could never have imagined.

County Durham-born Jeremy, who’s starring in new BBC drama The Moonstone this week, played Spratt, Maggie Smith’s butler, in ITV’s much-loved period drama.

“It has made a welcome difference,” he confided. “I get offered roles now rather than necessarily having to meet for them.

“My profile is higher than it’s ever been.

“I’ve been offered a play which will probably go to Broadway and I’m in the mix for a very big film.

“I’ve already made a film in Chile and Downton is playing a big part.

“It’s funny because it was initially just for one episode, two little scenes, but it became a regular role.”

Jeremy as Dr Candy (King Bert / Ray Burmiston)

Jeremy and Dame Maggie had met before Downton as they were in Gosford Park, the film that inspired the series.

While her reputation made others nervous, Jeremy’s reckons there’s nothing like a Dame for cracking on with the job.

“I just found her very funny,” he added.

The Moonstone is one of BBC1’s big daytime dramas, being stripped across a full week, starting tomorrow.

Cold Feet favourite John Thomson and Sarah Hadland also star in the adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ 19th Century novel which was hailed as spawning the detective story.

“I play Doctor Candy, a very eccentric, energetic character,” said Jeremy.

“It’s quite an entangled plot with roots in corrupt colonial power. It’s quite heartbreaking with a difficult romance but if you tune in for the first five minutes, you’ll be hooked.

“We filmed it in Northallerton in Yorkshire which wasn’t far from my mum so I got the chance to pop along and see her.”

The Moonstone, BBC1, Mon–Fri, 2.15pm

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