The show has been releasing promotional photos to continue the buzz for its upcoming premiere for its fifth season, and we've all been enjoying seeing the cast once again. We're especially thrilled at that photo of Lady Mary and Lady Sybil's son and daughter, respectively, who have grown from the babies they were last season, to the adorable toddlers that they are in the upcoming one.
But by far the most circulated Downton Abbey season 5 photo was the one of Lord Grantham and Lady Edith, not that there was anything new or sensational about how those two looked -- but because of an incriminating background object spotted by some eagle eye fan. The photo of Lord Grantham and Lady Edith shows a background of a shelf with antique looking items, except for one -- a very modern water bottle photo!
The photo went viral on the internet, and now the Downton Abbey season 5 cast responds to the water bottle incident with the photo below.
Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary posted the photo on her Instagram with the caption, "To support @WaterAid text WATER to 70007 to donate £3 #WH2Oops and go to bit.ly/wH2oopsDA"
An official ITV statement tells us that the cast and crew were the ones who thought of this idea on how to turn all the attention that the water bottle blunder garnered, into something that could be of real benefit to millions of people. The statement reads:
"After seeing the reaction the picture caused earlier this week, the cast and crew came up with the idea of turning some of this attention towards an issue around water that really matters. They hope that by posing for this picture they will be able to raise awareness and amplify the work of international charity - WaterAid."
In turn, WaterAid is really grateful for the promotion of their charitable work. "It brought a really big smile to my face when the cast of Downton Abbey said that they wanted to support WaterAid's work, " said Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid. "How fantastic that the attention created over one water bottle ends up benefiting some of the world's poorest communities through access to safe, clean water today"
Leave it to the Crawleys and their servants to turn a Downton Abbey season 5 into a classy, and noble boost for a great charity.
