Dan Stevens Reflects On His Downton Abbey Exit 12 Years Later: "Terror & Discomfort"

Longtime Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens reflects on why he left the classic British series. First airing on ITV in late 2010, the historical drama, which is set in a fictional Yorkshire country estate, revolves around the aristocratic Crawley family as well as their domestic servants during the post-Edwardian era. Stevens played the role of Mathew Crawley, a leading cast member in the show up until his exit in 2012, and he was joined by other talented acts like Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle and Jessica Brown Findlay.

Now, about 12 years since Stevens exited Downton Abbey, the actor looks back on his departure in a recent interview with Business Insider. The 41-year-old admits that taking the decision to leave the show at the time came with an element of discomfort and uncertainty, but he claims it’s been fun navigating the years after he decided to exit the show. Read his full comment below:

"Taking those kinds of risks does involve an element of terror and discomfort, and part of the journey is sort of finding out what that's going to mean and how that's going to progress. I didn't know the answer to any of those questions when I left, and it's been fun answering them bit by bit over the years."

"Not especially. I think what's lovely is how the fan love for that show has endured and people are still discovering it. I still get messages every other week where somebody hits the end of season three and can't believe what's just happened, but there's just such an enduring love for that show and I have very, very fond memories of it."

Why Did Dan Stevens Exit Downton Abbey?

The Actor's Star Has Only Risen Since

Stevens was a main fixture on Downton Abbey during his time on the classic British drama. He featured in three seasons of the show’s six, with his push-and-pull relationship with Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) a major source of drama and a huge part of the show’s appeal at the time. The two eventually got married and welcomed a baby before Stevens’ character Mathew Crawley surprisingly passed away in a car accident in the final episode of season 3.

The death of Stevens’ character was not a part of the original plan, and it was only included after he made the decision to exit the show. Months after his exit, Stevens revealed that he left Downton Abbey because he had "creative itches left unscratched." The 41-year-old had initially signed on for only three seasons when he first joined the drama and when those three seasons were up, he decided to explore other opportunities.

What Dan Stevens Has Done Since Downton Abbey

Stevens Has Built A Strong Career In Movies And Television

While there was certainly some risk in leaving such a popular show as Downton Abbey so early, Dan Stevens was able to translate his notoriety from that show into a solid career afterward. Those who didn't watch Downton Abbey may have first come to know Stevens with his breakout role as the chilling villain in the thriller The Guest. The role was markedly different from that of Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey and showcased Stevens as an actor of great range.

He continued to show that range with his next television project, the comic book series Legion. Though it is connected to the X-Men universe, Legion stood out as a wildly inventive show that gave Stevens a complex and fascinating character to play. He has continued to star in high-profile projects, playing the Beast in the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast (a film that grossed more than $1 billion), Trapper in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and most recently, as Frank in the cast of Abigail.

Source: Business Insider

Set in the early 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the fictional Yorkshire estate. The series explores themes of social change, romance, and intrigue against the backdrop of historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, and the rise of the working class.

Cast Hugh Bonneville , Elizabeth McGovern , Michelle Dockery , Brendan Coyle

Release Date September 26, 2010

Seasons 6

Creator(s) Julian Fellowes