Live from Downton Abbey, it's Shirley MacLaine

I am so excited by the news that actress Shirley MacLaine will be joining the cast of the British TV series, Downton Abbey, for its third season, which begins production next month. She will play Martha Levinson, the mother of Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern), whom I'm sure will have some delightful conversations with Maggie Smith's Countess. I also find it interesting that MacLaine already had a connection to the show - executive producer Gareth Neame's late grandfather, Ronald Neame, directed her and Michael Caine in the 1966 romantic comedy caper, Gambit (you can watch its trailer below). His other films include I Could Go On Singing (1963) with Judy Garland, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) with Dame Maggie, and The Poseidon Adventure (1972).