
Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Grantham, Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham, Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley, Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley, Allen Leech as Tom Branson, Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, and Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes, from the TV series, "Downton Abbey." (The Associated Press)
The faithful lab from “Downton Abbey” isn’t being killed off because she shares the same name as a terrorist organization reports Rob Shuter of naughtygossip.com.
According to Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham, the latest story line involving Isis has nothing to do with current world events. During season five which is now airing in Britain, Lord and Lady Grantham discuss Isis’ poor health and her possible demise.
Naturally that fueled speculation that writers were offing the dog to avoid having any association with the terrorist organization of the same name.
Bonneville posted a message to his website to clear up the silly rumors and according to him, the story line involving the canine’s illness and possible death has absolutely nothing to do with the news:
To clarify recent speculation, the labrador that appeared in Series One (1912-14) was a dog called Pharaoh. From Series Two (1916-1920) onwards, the labrador has been a bitch named – in keeping with the Egyptian theme – Isis. Anyone who genuinely believes the Series 5 storyline (1924) involving the animal was a reaction to recent world news is a complete berk.
(Berk is English slang for an idiot).