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Downton Abbey's Matthew Goode clarifies Henry comments: 'I didn't mean it to be derogatory'

Goode had called his character a "wet lettuce" when speaking with Radio Times magazine.

Matthew Goode as Henry Talbot and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey sat in a car together

ITV

Published: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 5:02 pm

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Matthew Goode, star of new Netflix detective series Dept. Q, has clarified his comments regarding his Downton Abbey character Henry, having previously called him a "wet lettuce".

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Speaking with Radio Times magazine, Goode had explained his departure from the period drama franchise, having not appeared in either the second or the upcoming third film.

He said he was unavailable for the second because he was filming The Offer, and the third because of he was filming Dept. Q, while an operation on his knee also meant he was unable to make an appearance.

He then added: "Let’s face it, he [Henry] was edging towards becoming a bit of a wet lettuce. So maybe it’s a good thing."

Now, speaking with Metro, Goode has said he didn't mean the comment "in a horribly derogatory way", and that he actually meant it would be more exciting for Michelle Dockery's character, Lady Mary, to end up on her own.

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He explained: "I just meant, actually, wouldn’t it be more exciting if [Lady Mary] didn’t need a man so she might end up on her own? Some people look up to her as a modern feminist or a pillar of modern feminism."

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Goode also suggested that if Lady Mary does have a "happy ending" in the third film, "one of her earlier suitors could come back and whisk her off", before suggesting whatever the ending was it could involve "something surprising, other than good old Henry".

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, will be released on 12th September, arriving just over three years after the second big-screen outing.

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Meanwhile, Goode's new show, Dept. Q, sees him play an irascible English detective living in Edinburgh, who is assigned with setting up a new department to investigate high-profile cold cases.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in UK cinemas on 12th September 2025. All seasons of Downton Abbey are available to stream on ITVX.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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