Hugh Bonneville has revealed he is unlikely to return to the Paddington film franchise.
The English actor, 62, is best known for playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in the historical drama series Downton Abbey from 2010 until 2015.
The role earnt him Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, as well as three Screen Actors Guild Awards – with the actor also reprising the role in three feature films.
However, he is also well known for his starring role as Mr Brown in the 2014 film Paddington and its 2017 sequel, Paddington 2, as well as 2024’s Paddington in Peru.
Based on the character created by Michael Bond, the films have grossed $808,360,582million (£603million) after being made on a total budget of £195 million.
Throughout his run as Mr Brown, Hugh has been praised for his comic timing, also being labelled ‘loveably goofy’.
However, the actor has now said his age will likely stop him reprising the role on screen again.
Speaking to Saga magazine, Hugh was asked if he’d appear in another Paddington movie, to which he replied: ‘I don’t think so. I really don’t. I’ve loved it, but I’m getting on a bit.’
‘It’s a younger man’s job, but you can get other actors in, and it will work just as well, because it’s all about the bear,’ he added.
His comments came after Sally Hawkins stepped down from the franchise and didn’t appear in the most recent film.
Instead – Emily Mortimer took over and was introduced to audiences as Mrs Brown.
Talking to Hugh ahead of the movie’s release, he was full of praise for Emily, saying it wasn’t difficult at all to welcome her to the family as she ‘fitted in like a hand in a glove’.
‘Obviously we were sorry when Sally, for her own reasons, needed to pull back – she took a little bit of a break – and the first person that we thought of was Emily, and she fitted in seamlessly,’ he told Metro.
‘She’s a natural team player and has all the warmth and width that you would want from a Mrs Brown.’
When Sally confirmed her departure, she also complimented her ‘truly wonderful’ and ‘extraordinarily special’ replacement in Emily.
Explaining that it ‘felt the right time to hand the reins over to another’, the star added in a statement to Variety: ‘She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own.
‘However, I am and will always be in love with Paddington’s world. I already greatly miss my on-and-off-screen family – the experience of making the first two films has truly been some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film.’
‘They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed,’ she concluded.
When asked why the Paddington films had proved so popular with audiences, he replied: ‘Great scripts, great characters, and every scene – every frame – is filled with love and attention to detail from both our directors, Paul King in the first two films and Dougal Wilson in this one.
‘There isn’t an ounce of fat on the script. The jokes, both visual and verbal, are glorious. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and I just think that the spirit of the bear shines through. Michael Bond’s creation has been around for so many years now and has landed with every generation.’
In the interview with Saga, Hugh also spoke about how he felt Downton Abbey could continue after its concluding feature film The Grand Finale, however he wouldn’t play a part.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if they make some sort of spin-off, but no, our company has left the building,’ he said.
‘The Grand Finale really was a farewell. As we came towards the end of filming, I would take a look around each set – let’s say the library – for the last time, so that I would be able to remember.
‘I feel enormous love for Downton. Every single day a message comes through about what it meant to someone, so I’m enormously proud… and it was a springboard for me meeting the bear (Paddington).’
First published in 1958, Paddington was featured in 29 books written by Bond – with more than 30 million copies sold worldwide.
Late last year Paddington: The Musical debuted on London’s West End. Based on a book by Jessica Swale and with music and lyrics composed by McFly’s Tom Fletcher.
Metro’s reviewer wrote that the show left them ‘shedding more than a few tears’.
The review also shared: ‘Just as Paddington finds safe haven in the capital, so I have a feeling this show has found a home in the West End for a long time to come.’
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