Downton Abbey series 5: George Clooney to try and kiss Dowager Countess in charity Christmas special

The Hollywood star is said to be a big fan of the British period drama

George Clooney is set to go in for a kiss with the Dowager Countess - much to her surprise (Getty Images)

George Clooney will try to kiss Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess in the charity Christmas special of Downton Abbey.

The Hollywood actor will be appearing in only one sketch in the episode, in which he attempts to give her peck – much to her surprise.

Actress Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith, was on breakfast show This Morning on Thursday when she told viewers about Clooney’s scene.

“There’s a very brilliant moment with Maggie and George – I don’t know if I want to give away any more than that really – but George wants a kiss and Maggie ends up on the floor, it’s wonderful,” she said.

The countess is known for her frosty demeanour but does a “comedy roll” off a chair in the sketch.

Carmichael also admitted that the cast of the show was left star struck by Clooney’s visit to the set and at first didn’t completely believe it.

“We didn’t know it would happen until he turned up. We were filming away,” she said.

The 53-year-old is believed to be a big fan of Julian Fellowes' series and is said to be friendly with Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham on the show, after the pair worked together on the film Monuments Men.

Clooney is the latest American actor to appear in the series following guest appearances from Shirley MacLaine and Paul Giamatti.

The episode has been produced for ITV’s Text Santa fundraising campaign, which supports different UK charities each year.

This year the Alzheimer’s Society, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Teenage Cancer Trust, Together for Short Lives, and WellChild have been selected.

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The first series of the drama debuted on American channel PBS in 2011 and is the channel’s highest-rated drama ever and has won 11 Emmy Awards.

Series five of Downton Abbey will be starting on ITV tonight at 9pm.