Another American upstart is coming to the stately halls of Downton.
Paul Giamatti has been cast to appear in the season 4 of "Downton Abbey," announced Carnival Films, ITV and Masterpiece on PBS in a statement Monday.
"We're excited that Paul Giamatti will be joining us on 'Downton' to play Cora's brother Harold, the rather free-spirited uncle to Mary and Edith, " executive producer Gareth Neame said in the statement. "We can't wait to see him work alongside Shirley MacLaine, who are both sure to upset the Grantham's apple cart in this year's finale."
MacLaine had a guest starring role in last year's third outing of the hit drama as Cora's straight-talking American mother.
Giamatti, an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor will next be seen in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" and has featured in television series and movies as diverse as "Cosmopolis," "Rock of Ages," "John Adams," "Planet of the Apes" and "Sideways."
"Downton Abbey" returns on Jan. 5, 2014, on PBS.
