Richard E. Grant leads trio of new Downton Abbey characters

Richard E. Grant, Four Weddings & A Funeral star Anna Chancellor and Serbian actor Rade Sherbedgia have signed up to join the cast of Downton Abbey for the hit drama's upcoming fifth season.

Withnail & I star Grant will play a guest of Lord and Lady Grantham on the show, while Chancellor has been cast as Lady Anstruther. Sherbedgia will play a Russian refugee on the show.

Announcing the new cast members on Friday (14Feb14), executive producer Gareth Neame said, "The characters they play are set to bring yet more excitement and intrigue to the show.”