Role Call: The Dowager Countess is Back…with Gregorovitch?

We reported in March that Downton Abbey fans had no reason to worry whether or not Dame Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall) would return for the fifth season of the popular series. This week, we get our first look at Maggie on the set for the upcoming season! Photos of the actress were published on Wednesday, where the filming took place in Bampton Village, Oxfordshire. You can view the photos below:

In addition to seeing Maggie continue her role as the Dowager Countess, another familiar face is joining the Downton cast. Known to Potter fans as the wand maker Mykew Gregorovitch in The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, actor Rade Serbedzija is slated to appear in the first episode of the new season as a character named Kurajin. No information is available regarding the plot of the episode, or Serbedzija’s character.

International distribution rights to the reunion comedy show Monty Python Live (mostly), starring John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), have been picked up by Picturehouse Entertainment. The final show of the reunion event will take place on July 20th and will be aired in the U.K. and across the world, including in American theaters. The comedy troupe is set to perform some of their most memorable skits as a final farewell to fans. In a statement regarding the distribution deal, the troupe described the event as a chance for audiences to enjoy a “…final weepy, hilarious, uproarious, outrageous, farewell to the five remaining Pythons as they head for The Old Jokes Home.”

Zoe Wanamaker has been cast in the upcoming third season of the period drama Mr. Selfridge, starring Jeremy Piven. Far from her role as Quidditch flying instructor Madame Rolanda Hooch, Zoe will be playing a royal role as Russian Princess and troublemaker, Marie de Bolotoff. Filming for the series, which picks up in the year 1919, has already commenced.

Finally, actor Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley) will be taking a seat on the late-night talk show couch to promote his new film, Frank. Domhnall will join his co-star Michael Fassbender and director Lenny Abrahamson on The Late Late Show on RTE One tonight. Check your local listings for showtimes.

To learn more about your favorite Harry Potter alumni, head on over to our Cast Pages.