Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale actor Hugh Bonneville used a red carpet interview about the film to make a statement about the conflict in Gaza.
Hugh Bonneville has urged the “international community” to intervene in Gaza.
The 61-year-old actor was on the red carpet for Wednesday (03.09.25) night’s premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in London’s Leicester Square when he used his time to discuss the conflict.
Speaking to British broadcaster ITV about the beloved franchise coming to an end, he instead turned to the camera and said: “Before I talk about the fluff and loveliness of our wonderful film, what’s about to happen in Gaza City is indefensible and the international community must do more to bring it to an end.”
The reporter looked surprised, while Hugh seamlessly turned back to them to immediately discuss the original point.
He added: “Downton Abbey is a lovely film and we are going to celebrate 15 years of it tonight.”
When the broadcast cut back to the studio, an ITV presenter said: “Of course it’s not about the politics, it’s about the film.”
Earlier this week, it was reported by the BBC that the International Association of Genocide Scholars has said Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the UN Convention’s legal definition of genocide.
This week, there have been further protests and people using their platform to raise awareness about famine-struck Gaza.
During Venice Film Festival on the same day as Hugh’s red carpet interview, there was a screening for The Voice of Hind Rajab, a documentary about a five-year-old girl who was killed in Gaza.
The film received a record breaking 23-minute standing ovation, while Motaz Malhees – one of the stars of the film – help up a Palestinian flag in the cinema.
Over the weekend, there was a large protest on the Lido in support of Palestine, while stars like Pedro Pascal have made their voices heard.
He has previously been seen championing causes such as the Free Gaza Movement by wearing Protect The Dolls T-shirts in public and posting about food blockages into Gaza on social media.
Speaking live with Sky News about the worries of having his statements being taken out of context, he said: “I think it’s very easy to get scared no matter what you sort of talk about. There’s so many different ways that things can get kind of fractured and have a life of itself really.”
He added: “It’s sort of a business part of the way media can work really. There’s one thing that you can say and no matter what your intention behind it, it is absolutely lost in all of these different headlines, I suppose, but I’ll never shut up.”
Hugh Bonneville makes Gaza protest during Downton Abbey red carpet interview
