Hollywood star Paul Giamatti has been cast in the fourth series of Downton Abbey, it has been confirmed.

The Sideways actor will play Harold Levinson, the brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and the son of Martha (Shirley MacLaine).

Andrew Medechini/AP

Giamatti's character is described as a "maverick playboy".

Carnival Films' managing director, Gareth Neame said: "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.

"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 Christmas Day episode."

Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Shirley MacLaine and Jim Carter will all return for the show's fourth run later this year.

They will be joined by new cast members Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Harman, Joanna David and Dame Harriet Walter.

Death in Paradise and Bluestone 42 actor Gary Carr has also joined the cast as a "charming and charismatic" jazz singer named Jack Ross.

> Downton Abbey series four: Who's In? Who's Out?

Downton Abbey's fourth series returns to the UK in the autumn. It will air in the US in January, 2014.

Downton Abbey - filming on series four:

Downton Abbey on set filming in Bampton



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