‘Downton Abbey’ -- Behind the Scenes Hollywood Backlot

Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville shoot a scene on the grounds of Highclere Castle, standing in as Downton Abbey, for the hit period drama.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

A member of the TV crew moves equipment at Highclere Castle in England.  (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Jim Carter, left, and Hugh Bonneville pause during filming of Season 3 of “Downton Abbey.”   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

“Downton Abbey” cast members include, from left, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter and Allen Leech.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Tom Branson (Allen Leech) chats with the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) during filming of Season 3 of “Downton Abbey.”   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Relaxing between scenes are “Downton Abbey’s” Dan Stevens, left, Hugh Bonneville and Allen Leech.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Dan Stevens plays heir Matthew Crawley, the show’s linchpin and the closest thing to a stand-in for the audience: a middle-class lawyer thrown into the lush lap of the aristocracy.  (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

The “Downton Abbey” set is readied for a shot.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Elizabeth McGovern, left, Penelope Wilton and Maggie Smith take 5 between shots on the “Downton Abbey” set.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Allen Leech plays Branson, an Irish chauffeur who’s married the youngest Crawley daughter, in “Downton Abbey.”   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Sharing a laugh are, from left, Allen Leech, Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens and Hugh Bonneville.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

The expressions say it all: Allen Leech and a crew member on the set of “Downton Abbey.”   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith Crawley on “Downton Abbey,” goes over the script.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

A light is strategically placed for a “Downton Abbey” scene being shot at England’s Highclere Castle.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Maggie Smith plays Violet Crawley, the dowager Countess of Grantham, in the hit period drama.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern prepare for a scene at Highclere Castle, the stand-in for Downton Abbey.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

A prop gets moved at Highclere Castle.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) goes for a stroll with her husband, Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), and his dog in Season 3 of “Downton Abbey.”   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

The modern world intrudes on the period world of “Downton Abbey.”   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)

Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) gazes at the family estate.   (Matthew Lloyd/For The Times)