Downton star Phyliss Logan speaks on global fame and Mrs Hughes (2024)

SHE has starred in films and TV big hitters such as A Touch of Frost, Holby City and Lovejoy but for actress Phyllis Logan, it was her role as Downton Abbey housekeeper Elsie Hughes which earned her the most brownie points with her son.

“I don’t think he is generally impressed that I am an actress. To him, it’s just what I do every day,” she said.

“But he did start watching Downton Abbey when all his friends at school started watching it. And I think he enjoyed it.”

International fame has come late to Phyllis, 58, but she is loving it and has just landed a guest role in the 10th series of the hit American crime series Bones playing a wealthy millionaire whose housekeeper is murdered.

She will feature in the sixth episode set to air on Fox TV in November.

Phyllis has enjoyed a long career in film and TV, playing Lady Jane Felsham in BBC’s Lovejoy and appearing in Mike Leigh’s Secrets & Lies in 1996. But worldwide fame came after Downton, which has a global audience of millions.

Phyllis, from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, has played staff matriarch, head housekeeper Mrs Hughes, since the series started.

Since then, she has carved out an important niche as a foil for the other characters’ problems with her wise words and practical advice.

“She is always trying to keep a rein on the boys and girls downstairs,” said Phyllis. When Anna was raped by valet Mr Green in last year’s series, in one of the darkest days at Downton, Mrs Hughes helped her through tough times. But it’s still uncertain whether Anna’s husband, Bates, murdered her abuser.

Mrs Hughes often finds herself involved in the goings on upstairs, such as with Lady Edith, who has given birth to a secret daughter now in the care of a local family.

“She does have her suspicions about what’s going on with Edith and her baby, as does Anna. And in both cases, things will come to a head,” she said.

Today, Phyllis looks über glamorous with her long auburn hair loose and her face immaculately made up. She smiled when I said how great she looks and said: “Well, it’s a relief for me to get out of Mrs Hughes’s dowdy costume at the end of the day.

“I am not complaining but when you get a rather unflattering wig popped on your head and have your face scrubbed of make-up, you don’t feel great.

“I have gone a bit overboard today but normally I wouldn’t be seen out without my mascara on. But this show is lovely because I can speak in my Scottish accent. That’s always a bonus.”

poll loading

Are you looking forward to the new series of Downton Abbey?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

When asked what may happen between Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson after their little paddle in the sea at the end of the Christmas episode, Phyllis said: “Nothing. They are just very good friends. There was nothing to indicate a romantic interlude. It’s back to business as usual.

“Everyone is really determined that Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes are going to fall into each other’s arms, declare undying love and either swan off into the sunset together or stay on as Mr and Mrs Carson.

“But I don’t know, you need to ask Julian (Fellowes, the writer) about that.

poll loading

Would you like to see Mrs Hughes get together with Mr Carson in Downton Abbey?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

“It’s very slow-burning between them. They are both more concerned about health and safety in Downton Abbey than romance.

“We can’t open up to anyone else because of our status in the house.

“In those personal chats, it’s the only chance to see a chink into our personal lives. A lot of people want us to get together – and we do as well – but because housekeepers and butlers were usually unmarried, it has to proceed at a stately pace and that is what it’s doing.”

In real life, Phyllis has been married to her actor husband Kevin McNally for almost 20 years. The couple live in Chiswick, south London, with their son David, now 18.

Kevin, also 58, appeared in Downton’s second series as a domineering businessman whose wastrel son got one of the maids pregnant.

Phyllis said: “It was strange having him on set. I remember he was going away on a job and he rang me and said, ‘I’ve got a wee job to do before I go off’.

“When I asked what it was he said, ‘Downton Abbey’, and I laughed and said, ‘Very funny’. Then he repeated it and I got impatient and said, ‘I haven’t got time for this, just tell me what
you’re doing’.

“He said, ‘I am serious, I’ve been asked to do Downton Abbey’.

“It was bring-your-husband-to-work day – he was in all the scenes I was in too. But it was rather nice actually.”

So, after being married for 20 years, is she romantic?

“No, not really. He is more romantic than I am, to tell the truth. In theory, I am romantic but I don’t put it into practice as much as I should,” she added.

In the new series, Mrs Hughes finds herself playing referee between two of her oldest comrades, Mr Carson and Mrs Patmore, who is played by Lesley Nichols.

Phyllis said: “Mrs Patmore wants to get her nephew’s name on the War Memorial but he was actually shot for cowardice during the war. Mr Carson doesn’t agree with that, nor does Lord Grantham, so that’s very upsetting for her and Mrs Hughes is trying to encourage Mr Carson to relent.

Downton star Phyliss Logan speaks on global fame and Mrs Hughes (5)

“She is sort of juggling between trying to keep everyone happy, as always.”

That includes a newly politicised Daisy, who with the help of local schoolteacher Sarah Bunting, is getting herself an education realising there may be a life outside of service.

“It’s all part of the modern world raising its head and I think part of Mrs Hughes wants to embrace it but she ultimately realises it is a dead end because what else can she do?” added Phyllis.

“She’s been in service all her life and that’s what she knows. She has reached the pinnacle of where she can go anyway. She has concern for where it is all going to go and yet, at the same time, she does feel change is fine and one has to look to the future.”

She is close friends with all the cast and lives near Lesley in London.

“I see her when we’re not filming but I get on well with everyone,” Phyllis added. “It is a cliché but we are a big family and enjoy hanging out together at Highclere in Berkshire, where Downton’s filmed on location. We stay in a hotel when we shoot there and we get a big table for the whole group of us and have dinner together, which is lovely. Or we have a night out in the pub.

“Fortunately, I have never been in any job, working closely with someone, where I’ve hated their guts. Obviously, you gravitate to some people more than others but at Downton, we get on great.”

■ Downton Abbey returns to STV on Sunday, September 21, at 9pm.

Downton star Phyliss Logan speaks on global fame and Mrs Hughes (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 5377

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.