How could this happen? The extremely popular English period drama Downton Abbey is entering its fifth season coming up later this fall for the U.K. and in January for the U.S. (yes, we still have to wait for months) and on Thursday several promo photos were released, but one of them left the production’s PR team red faced.
Of course, this is a period drama, set in the early 20th century and as such there were no modern amenities as we know them today. Whoever was setting the photo of Lord Gratham (Hugh Bonneville) and his youngest daughter, Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) totally failed to capture the perfect shot.
Costume designers go to great lengths to make sure what the actors are wearing is as it was in the particular time period depicted. In the case of Downton Abbey everything is perfectly matched to the early part of the 20th century, when the story takes place.
We can only imagine the flack that the person who set up the shot with Bonneville and Carmichael is getting from executives involved with the show. After all this is one of the most popular period dramas, not only in the U.K., but around the world. Fans wait for a whole year to see what happens next to their favorite characters.
Can you spot the item that’s out of place in the Downton Abbey promo photo (if you haven’t already read about it)?:
Of course there’s a water bottle just sitting there, next to the very fancy vase. Oops! Needless to say the now infamous Downton Abbey promo photo gaffe is getting some very interesting comments on social media and the series is being even more talked about than usual.
The Crawleys are so rich they can afford 2014 water in 1922 http://t.co/LSLkVTMp34 #DowntonAbbey pic.twitter.com/Yo9w4CMlrh
— Racked National (@Racked) August 14, 2014
Major historical error in this #DowntonAbbey promo photo. (Look at the mantel.) http://t.co/3bUNItkrLu pic.twitter.com/Wfu9BXsCqg
— Rubina Madan Fillion (@rubinafillion) August 14, 2014
Good guesses, but still no-one has spotted what’s wrong with this Downton Abbey promo photo: pic.twitter.com/xAUtlm3J4h
— David Whitley (@mrdavidwhitley) August 14, 2014
Edith can’t even catch a break shooting promo pics. http://t.co/9wxCGYLK4F pic.twitter.com/74RmoBPENo
— Heather Foley (@HotelFoxtrot) August 14, 2014
There has been no comment regarding the promo photo mess up from ITV — the network that airs Downton Abbey in the U.K. — or PBS . In the meantime, the series is enjoying some free PR, courtesy of whoever forgot to remove the out-of-place water bottle. Should they be fired or thanked?
[Image via ITV]
