ITV reported Helen Keenan got more than she asked for (literally) on the red carpet for Downton Abbey’s new film. Hugh Bonneville, who plays family patriarch Lord Grantham on the show, used the opportunity to talk about Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
X (Twitter) user Lorna_TVeditor went viral with a clip:
Hugh Bonneville took advantage of a live TV interview at the premiere for #DowntonAbbeyTheGrandFinale to make a statement about Gaza. Watch the face of ITV News reporter Helen Keenan drop as he *goes there*. pic.twitter.com/biSD7yhMAP
— Lorna_TVeditor (@Lorna_TVeditor) September 3, 2025
When asked about his upcoming film, Hugh Bonneville appeared to start his answer perfectly normally. Then, picking up the pace so that he couldn’t be cut off, the actor masterfully switched topic:
Before I talk about the fluff and loveliness of our wonderful film, what’s about to happen in Gaza City is indefensible, the international community must do more to bring it to an end.
Downton Abbey is a lovely film, and we’re going to celebrate 15 glorious years of it tonight. It’s a grand finale, and we had a great time making it, and it’s a great love letter to the fans.
Some X users chose to focus on the startled look on the reporter’s face when Bonneville kicked off:
Her life flashes before her eyes. Possibly the most interesting moment of her journalistic career (?) and she’s wishing the ground would swallow her up. https://t.co/GNsz2j7nuX
— Samplo Corvodina of Streatham (@TreborRhurbarb) September 4, 2025
Classy. And the look of cold horror on the journalist’s face. https://t.co/MV26VMHj2F
— Media Lens (@medialens) September 4, 2025
Others admired the expertise with which Hugh Bonneville sandwiched his message between the ‘fluff’:
The way he doesn’t pause and goes immediately into the Gaza statement leaving no space for interruption, what an absolute pro. Decades of stagecraft used to the max here. https://t.co/K2OaPdqNbA
— Mr Demos of Pnyx (@gem_ste) September 4, 2025
Often with a round of applause thrown in for good measure:
Good on him and perfectly segued back into discussion so the reporter couldn’t do the usual Israel defence bollocks they do https://t.co/gx9rFSh55M
— Congolesa Rice (@judeinlondon) September 4, 2025
And finally, there were calls for other celebs to follow the actor’s example and put their platforms to good use:
Every single person in this position should be doing the same. https://t.co/HH3R2z7WxC
— Monisha Rajesh 🍉 (@monisha_rajesh) September 4, 2025
Complicity, after all, is silence:
Every self respecting celebrity should do this. Every decent person with exposure should use their platform to denounce the ONGOING AND LIVE STREAMED GENOCIDE IN GAZA.
No more silence. Silence is complicity. https://t.co/7WuBr2nV5j
— kounistou.bsky.social (@KounisTou) September 4, 2025
With broadcasters like ITV and the BBC growing ever more cowardly in their censorship of pro-Palestinian causes, Hugh’s guerilla messaging is a masterclass in getting the word out on these major platforms. If that happens to call attention to their complicity while we’re at it, well, we’re not going to complain.
Who better to talk to than Hugh Bonneville indeed?
Featured image via the Canary
