First Clip of Shirley MacLaine on Downton Abbey

Fans of Downton Abbey have been waiting for this since we first received word that veteran actress Shirley Mac Laine would be appearing in the next season of the Masterpiece Theater drama. The American Film Institute recent held an event to honor the Terms of Endearment actress' extensive body of work and gave the world a sneak peek at the next season. Seriously, she's one of the most accomplished actresses in Hollywood and she'll appear on Downton Abbey Season 3 as Lady Cora's mother, who travels from New York to visit the family at Downton.

Elizabeth McGovern, who plays her daughter on the drama series, introduced a clip from Season 3 in which two matriarchs (MacLaine and Maggie Smith) exchange their pleasantries. It is going to be very interesting to see how these two strong female characters will get along. We all see how the Dowager Countess (Smith) handled Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton).

Lexington native Lucy Sharpe will be playing Miss Reid, Martha Levinson's maid, in Season 3.

Thanks to Huffington Post for the video!

Lexington Native to Appear in Downton Abbey Season 3

The Season 2 finale of Downton Abbey aired just a few weeks ago on KET and now Downton Abbey fans will wait at least 11 months until the third season premieres. For those who have been not indoctrinated into the Downton Abbey fandom, it is PBS Masterpiece Classics series which centers around the life of an aristocratic family and their servants in Great Britain. The family has weathered the storm that was the first two decades of the 20th century including the Titanic, World War I, and personal scandal. The series has become such a hit and many Kentuckians will be delighted to know that one of our own has been cast in the third season.

Lucille Sharp, 21, is a Lexington native who attended the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) from 4th grade until 10th grade. After finished her high school career at Interlochen School for Performing Arts in Michigan, Sharp moved to London where she has been pursuing an acting career. Sharp looks a great deal like Michelle Dockery who plays Lady Mary Crawley on the series, so she definitely could pass as a Crawley cousin. However, her role will be Miss Reid, the maid of Lady Cora's mother, Martha Levinson. Shirley MacClaine will be debuting in that role when Season 3 premieres in early 2013.