West End Star Julian Ovenden Joins Season Four of Downton Abbey

Looks like when Julian Ovenden is done romancing Marilyn Monroe on Smash, he'll head over to hang with the Crawleys on Downton Abbey. The New York Times reports that Ovenden will join the hit British series for its fourth season as Charles Blake. Details are scarce about his character, who is described only as "an aristocrat."

Downton Abbey is an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series created by Mary Poppins’ book writer Julian Fellowes. The series follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family at their estate Downton Abbey and the many colorful personalities of the servants who work there. Downton Abbey is one of the most widely-viewed television shows in the world.

Ovenden recently made his first appearance as JFK on NBC’s Broadway dramedy Smash. He is best known to British audiences for his TV roles on Foyle’s War and Any Human Heart. Ovenden made his Broadway debut in Butley and headlined the off-Broadway musical Death Takes a Holiday. His U.K. stage credits include Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Annie Get Your Gun. Ovenden also recently originated the role of J.M. Barrie in the new musical adaptation of Finding Neverland.