WHO’S WHO..

Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell

Bertha is a social climber. Her husband George is a railroad tycoon so they have the money but not the social standing. She said: “In the Gilded Age the women were relegated to two territories: their charities and their children.”

Jack Gilpin as Church

Church is the Russell family’s butler. Played by Gilpin of Billions telly fame, he is American, from a dismal background, but he manages to evade his past by excelling at his job.

Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn

Baranski is the answer to Downton’s Dowager Countess, played by Maggie Smith. Agnes van Rhijn is old money, an aristocrat who doesn’t want this change.

She said: “She has a really dry, withering sense of humour.”

Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook

The 55-year-old who is also back on TV as Miranda Hobbes in the Sex and the City reboot said: “I loved Downton. And you don’t often get the chance to do a period drama in New York.”

Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell

A rich girl who wants to be out in society meeting suitable young men. She doesn’t really know how her father made his money and she doesn’t much care but she is used to it and wouldn’t know what to do without it.

Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook

Marian is the principal heroine who has to live with her aunts Agnes and Ada and becomes friends with their black secretary, Peggy. Jacobson said said:“I was terrified most of the time in the beginning, but they made me relax.”

Simon Jones as Bannister

- An English immigrant, the van Rhijn’s butler joined the household a year before the death of Mr van Rhijn and so, for the old lady, he is a link with her own past. He likes to think he is grand but is the son of a cobbler.

Morgan Spector as George Russell

Russell is a ruthless tycoon as well as a devoted husband and father. Morgan, 41, said: “As dark as George can be, it’s always refined. He’s an iron fist in a velvet glove. I sometimes wonder who I would be if I had no regard for the lives of others.”

Debra Monk as Armstrong

As Mrs. van Rhijn’s maid, Armstrong enjoys an elevated position amongst the staff of the Brook House. Armstrong’s deep social biases, coupled with her need to be on the inside of every secret, promises to get her into trouble.

Blake Ritson as Oscar Van Rhijn

Agnes van Rhijn’s charismatic son. He’s decided it’s time to settle down and has become obsessed with money while on the lookout for a serious heiress who can make his dream come true.

Denée Benton as Peggy Scott

The 30-year-old plays Peggy who takes up a job as a secretary in the van Rhijn home. She said: “I could relate to her identity as the child of the first generation of a professional black family who must deal with these pressures and opportunities.” Harry Richardson as Larry Russell Larry is the apple of his mother’s eye and a recent

Harvard university graduate who is eager to make his own way in the world.