Downton Abbey Posts Epic, Charity-Based Response to Water Bottle Gate

Very well played, Downton Abbey cast.

Earlier this week, an on-set snafu resulted in a plastic water bottle ending up in the background of a Season 5 promotional photo, prompting laughs and confusion on the Internet because, call us crazy, but Evian hadn’t been invented yet in early 20th century Great Britain. 

Now, in response to the snafu, the cast has posed for a humorous photograph that also benefits a great cause.

“The cast of Downton Abbey embraced ‘water bottle-gate’ today by posing for a picture to promote the work of international charity WaterAid,” reads the Facebook caption of the above picture.

“A publicity still released this week hit the headlines when a plastic water bottle was spotted in the corner of the picture,” the message added.

“The official photograph of The Earl and Lady Edith was cropped and used during the launch of the new season, but it was when an un-cropped version of the image worked its way onto the internet that it sparked a global press frenzy.”

The series then linked to the official website of WaterAid in order to bring attention to the need for clean water and clean toilets in poor nations around the globe.

“After seeing the reaction the picture caused earlier this week, the cast and crew came up with the idea of turning some of this attention towards an issue around water that really matters,” said an ITV spokesperson.

“They hope that by posing for this picture they will be able to raise awareness and amplify the work of international charity – WaterAid.”

As we said… well played!

Need to catch up prior to the return of this drama in early 2015? Go watch Downton Abbey online via TV Fanatic.

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