The Dowager Countess would be impressed! How the Downton ladies scrub up nicely with a lick of modern make-up



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The bonnets are off, the aprons are down - the ladies of Downton Abbey are stepping into the 21st century - and what a change it is.



The dowdy Dowager becomes a glamorous Dame Maggie Smith, Amy Nuttall casts off Ethel's frumpy hat and lets down her thick, lustrous locks, and Elizabeth McGovern looks decades younger than her tired, troubled alter ego, Cora Crawley.



We take a peak behind the doors of the Abbey to see how the stars of upstairs and downstairs look with a 21st-century tint...



Class act: Elizabeth McGovern looks striking away from the troubles of Cora Crawley

Hughes that girl: From Elsie the unflappable housekeeper to sparkling star Phyllis Logan



Lip service: Bright vivid scarlet suits Sophie McShera, who plays assistant cook Daisy Mason



Best tressed: Joanne Froggatt is much more glam than her character, sweet lady's maid Anna Bates



Transformed: Scheming housekeeper Sarah O'Brien becomes stunning Siobhan Finneran



Lady in red: Laura Carmichael is much more relaxed in real life than Lady Edith



When you're smiling: Amy Nuttall looks happy to be away from Ethel Parks's problems



There is nothing like a Dame: Maggie Smith casts off the Dowager look for a night out



Tasty dish: Cara Theobald has a new recipe for kitchen maid Ivy Stuart



Cooking up a new look: We've never seen Mrs Patmore glammed up like Lesley Nicol Shame about these scruffy chaps...

Dressing down: Lord Grantham's valet Bates would have to disown Brendan Coyle

