Summary

  • Paul Giamatti's surprising next movie role will be in Downton Abbey 3, following his well-received performance in The Holdovers.
  • Fans are scratching their heads over Giamatti's decision to reprise a minor role in Downton Abbey 3 after his award season successes.
  • While Giamatti's return to Downton Abbey 3 is unexpected, his talent will undoubtedly shine in this follow-up to The Holdovers.

Paul Giamatti is set to appear in his first new movie after being nominated at the Oscars for The Holdovers, but the pick is entirely unexpected. Paul Giamatti received all kinds of praise for his role in The Holdovers, with it being one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2023. Because of this, it would be expected that Giamatti's next role after The Holdovers is even bigger, but this is turning out to not be the case.

Paul Giamatti is one of the most beloved actors of the modern era, with his filmography consisting of a wide variety of hits, franchise movies, and instant classics. Paul Giamatti's most popular movies include picks like Sideways, 2001's Planet of the Apes, and Big Fat Liar, with him also appearing in prestige TV shows like Billions. However, Giamatti's role in The Holdovers propelled his career even further, hopefully setting off another streak of beloved films.

Paul Giamatti's First Movie After The Holdovers Will Be Downton Abbey 3

It's A Surprising Pick

Harold Levinson & Madeleine Allsopp Cropped

As it turns out, Paul Giamatti's first movie after The Holdovers will be Downton Abbey 3. Downton Abbey 3 is the conclusion to the Downton Abbey movie trilogy, with it following in the footsteps of big hits like 2019's Downton Abbey and 2022's Downton Abbey: A New Era. Paul Giamatti's addition to Downton Abbey 3 is an exciting one, especially in the wake of The Holdovers' successes.

In Downton Abbey 3, Paul Giamatti will be playing Harold Levinson, a cousin of Elizabeth McGovern's character Cora Crawley. Giamatti is reprising his role from the TV show, with him having played Harold Levinson as a guest star.

Why Paul Giamatti's Downton Abbey Return Is So Surprising

Is It The Best Follow Up To The Holdovers?

Paul Giamatti's choice to appear in Downton Abbey 3 is pretty surprising, which is why it has left many fans of the actor scratching their heads. Giamatti is only a guest star in the Downton Abbey TV show, and since his career has taken off in the years since his last Downton Abbey appearance, it is strange that he is returning to reprise such a minor role.

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On top of that, Paul Giamatti's award season successes would presumably want him to continue pursuing these awards. Giamatti's minor role in Downton Abbey 3 will most likely not garner him any acting nominations due to his minor hand in the film, which is why it seems like a strange pick to follow up The Holdovers with. While Paul Giamatti will undoubtedly be great in Downton Abbey 3, it is a surprising pick in the wake of The Holdovers.

The Holdovers Poster

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The Holdovers
Release Date
November 10, 2023
Runtime
133 Minutes
Director
Alexander Payne
  • Headshot Of Paul Giamatti
    Paul Giamatti
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Da'Vine Joy Randolph

WHERE TO WATCH

The Holdovers is a comedy-drama film starring Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, a prep academy professor hated by peers and students alike. Stuck at the academy for the holidays with no family or friends to visit, he finds himself in the company of a bright-but-troublemaking young student named Angus and the school's head cook, Mary. Together, the three will create a makeshift family as they bond during the holiday season.

Writers
David Hemingson
Studio(s)
MiraMax, Gran Via
Distributor(s)
Focus Features