Downton Abbey star unrecognisable with VERY different look in thriller

A Downton Abbey star looks totally unrecognisable sporting a very different look in the ‘absorbing’ supernatural Netflix thriller Talamasca: The Secret Order. 

The supernatural horror spy thriller, which is based on Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches, premiered on AMC in October this year.

On December 1, the show landed on Netflix in the UK and many have already binged the full six-part series. 

‘A young lawyer with an unusual gift joins an ancient, secretive agency to unravel a supernatural mystery – and confront his family’s dark past,’ the streaming service’s synopsis reads.  

The show stars Nicholas Denton as Guy Anatole, Celine Buckens as Doris, Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Olive and William Fichtner as Jasper.

Another actress in the programme is Elizabeth McGovern – who has taken on the role of Helen.

Many will know Elizabeth for a number of other roles including Ordinary People, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Wife. 

She also played Cora, Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey between 2010 and 2015. 

Helen new character looks totally different to her alter-ego on the ITV drama. 

In Downton Abbey, the star rocked brunette hair, while in the new series, she’s got a much lighter platinum bob and vampy makeup. 

And many fans have raved over the ‘superb’ acting in the show on IMDB.

‘The series itself is a great concept. Well acted. Well done.’ 

‘Absolutely love it.’ 

‘Looking forward to seeing where this goes and if it keeps going after recently revealing their main plot. 

‘Its a breath of fresh air compared to other fantasy adventure shows out there. My only common is it needs to showcase mo powers, less talk.’

‘Loving it so far.’ 

‘Excellent so far, brilliant casting, so happy – finally someone’s building a good story, creating a mood, clever writing and good performances.

‘I’m excited to see if they’ll maintain the quality, but based on what I’ve seen so far, it’s very well done. And – what’s with the negative reviews? Looks like very high quality to me, and is elevated above the usual pedestrian tedium and predictable scripts.’ 

‘Damn it, it’s good.’

‘The cliffhangers on the final episode make me excited and hopeful for a second season.’ 

‘Talamasca is one of those rare supernatural shows that feels fresh, intelligent, and genuinely atmospheric. 

‘Instead of relying on cheap scares or flashy effects, it leans into world-building, character depth, and a slow-burning sense of mystery – and it absolutely works.’

‘Very impressive!’

‘I really enjoyed the show. Not what I thought it was going to be when I started watching it, but it is very well done in my opinion. 

‘I have to have so many characters in this review so I keep talking and talking and talking and talking. Damn I still don’t have enough. I’m almost there. Finally, I finished.’ 

‘There’s a great plot and interesting characters. It keeps me guessing and I’m always on the edge of my seat watching. I’m praying for a 2nd season!’

Many are desperate to know if there will be a second series.

And although nothing has been confirmed, protagonist Nicholas Denton has hinted that he wants the programme to make a return. 

He told TV Insider: ‘The first season’s really interesting because you’ve got to start.

‘You’re setting up a new world, new lore, new characters, you’re building them up, and you want to set them free, let ’em go nuts on the world. 

‘And that’s what I’m hoping for.’

He added that ‘there’s the rest of the world to cover’ and ‘there’s a lot to unpack’ with Guy and Doris (Celine Buckens).  

Talamasca: The Secret Order was created by John Lee Hancock and the showrunners include John and Mark Lafferty. 

The likes of Tomi May, Will Brown, Bryony Hannah, Eric Bogosian and Jason Schwartzman also appear on the programme.