“A WET LETTUCE”?! Matthew Goode SLAMS His Downton Abbey Character — And Bows Out of the Final Movie!
Matthew Goode, 47, who played Henry Talbot in the beloved Downton Abbey series and its first film, has revealed why he won’t be returning for the upcoming third and final Downton Abbey movie, set for release this September.
In a candid interview with Radio Times, Goode described his character as having become a “wet lettuce” — a brutally honest admission that shocked fans who loved the dashing Henry. But Goode quickly clarified the comment in a follow-up with Metro, explaining:
Henry Talbot famously married Michelle Dockery’s Lady Mary in the series finale, but Goode hinted that the story might have been better with a twist
“I would hope that, if she does have a happy ending, maybe one of her earlier suitors could come back and whisk her off. Maybe it could be something surprising other than good old Henry.”
Behind the Scenes: Why Goode Won’t Return
Fans eager to see Henry’s return will be disappointed, but Goode revealed the real reasons behind his absence were practical. Between filming the Netflix crime thriller Dept. Q, where he plays detective Carl Morck, and recovering from knee surgery, Goode simply wasn’t available:
“I was unavailable for the second film because I was doing The Offer. Then for the third, I was shooting Dept. Q. But I also buggered my knee, and I had to have an operation. That takes weeks to get over, so I was never going to be able to do it.”
Final Film Promises Big Returns — But Not Everyone
While Goode’s absence is notable, many original cast members are returning, including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, and Allen Leech.
However, the film will mark the end of an era with the absence of Dame Maggie Smith, who played the beloved Dowager Countess, Violet Crawley. Smith has sadly passed away since the last film, and the upcoming movie will pay tribute to her in a poignant storyline. Executive producer Gareth Neale told TV Line:
“The loss of the Dowager… it now feels far more significant that you see actors playing characters mourning the family matriarch. But I also see actors mourning the matriarch of the show, and it feels more genuine and more meaningful.”
What Fans Can Expect
Downton Abbey: The Final Chapter hits cinemas on September 13. While Henry Talbot won’t be part of this last story, fans can expect a heartfelt farewell to the Crawley family’s legacy — complete with surprises, drama, and a tribute to one of TV’s greatest icons.