Benedict Cumberbatch criticises Downton Abbey

ITV/Carnival Films

Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch has reportedly criticised Downton Abbey.

TV Line reports that Cumberbatch was critical of Downton Abbey‘s second season in an interview with the New York Times. The actor’s criticisms of the second season comes just days after Downton Abbey actress Elisabeth McGovern said the second season wasn’t to her “taste”.
Cumberbatch’s criticism of Downton Abbey reportedly was sparked by executive producer Rebecca Eaton playfully taunting the actor with a Golden Globe statue the drama had won back in January. The actor told the New York Times ‘I just looked at it and went: ‘Begone, woman…..Bring it back when it says Sherlock or Steven Moffat or myself — someone else who’s more deserving than the second season of Downton Abbey.’ However, the actor then added ‘I know too many people who are in [Downton Abbey]….I thought the first series was good. That’s what I’ll say’
Sherlock and Downton Abbey are both co-produced by PBS and air on the station in America. In the UK their air on rival channels with Sherlock airing on BBC One and Downton Abbey on ITV1 – they generate huge audiences for their respective broadcasters.
The second season of Downton Abbey was criticised by the press during its broadcast with much of the criticism aimed at the fast pace the series chronicled the First World War. However, some criticism was aimed at the storylines itself with one reviewer dubbing the series ‘Crossroads with posh frocks’
Do you agree with the criticism aimed at Downton Abbey? Do you think the second season wasn’t as good as the first? Post your comments below.
Written by Luke Edwards