After the recent bottlegate scandal that ruffled feathers at Downton Abbey, and the cast’s clever response to the brouhaha, producers aren’t taking any chances that something anachronistic might pop up and spoil the 1920s atmosphere. That means no modern undies (or ‘foundation garments’, if you prefer).
“Modern watches and jewellery are out and so even is modern underwear as the danger is apparently too great it could be seen if we bend over,” said one of the cast to the Telegraph. Bend over? Goodness. Ladies simply don’t bend over. What sort of storylines are they planning? The show’s producers, anxious that it be as historically accurate as possible and obviously wishing to avoid Thong-gate, are insisting that the actors wear period knickers, or else go commando. They have allowed “prescription glasses and asthma guns, but that’s about it,” says creator Julian Fellowes. Eagle-eyed viewers really want their disbelief suspended, and have written complaints to the show after spotting modern street signs, double yellow lines on the road, and a television aerial.
