‘Downton Abbey’ Cast Reacts To Promo Photo Now Dubbed ‘Water Bottle-Gate’

Following the embarrassing Downton Abbey promo photo gaffe — now dubbed “water bottle-gate” — the cast is showing that well-known British sense of humor and using the episode for a good cause.

The photo in question became the focus of the promotion campaign ahead of Downton Abbey Season 5, when a very modern water bottle was inadvertently left on a mantle behind Hugh Bonneville, who plays patriarch Lord Gratham, and Laura Carmichael, in the role of his youngest daughter Edith, as they posed for the shot. “Water bottle-gate” made headlines all over the world and brought additional attention to the very popular period drama.

Downton Abbey Season 5 premieres in the U.K. this September and in the U.S. in January, and fans are more than ready to see what happens with the residents of the great manor. Right now, people can’t stop talking about the promo photo gaffe. Here it is in case you missed it.

The promotional still was cropped and used as the official photo of The Earl of Gratham and Lady Edith, but the unaltered version created a storm on social media and other outlets. So much so that reaction came fast and furious from all corners of the world.

In a statement, a Downton Abbey spokesperson put millions of minds at ease:

“It’s testament to the huge success of ‘Downton’ that something like this makes headlines around the world. While the water bottle is in the uncropped version of a publicity photograph we can assure you that it will not be making an appearance on screen.”

Now, the Downton Abbey cast is using the momentum created by “water bottle-gate” to sponsor the work of the international charity WaterAid. For the occasion, they all posted with, what else, a water bottle in their hands to bring attention to the organization’s cause.

A spokesperson for British network ITV, which will broadcast Downton Abbey Season 5 this fall stated:

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

WaterAid is a British charity that works to provide clean water to impoverished people all over the globe and now they have a great opportunity to increase their funds significantly.

Chief Executive of WaterAid, Barbara Frost, said in a statement:

“It brought a really big smile to my face when the cast of Downton Abbey said that they wanted to support WaterAid’s work. How fantastic that the attention created over one water bottle ends up benefiting some of the world’s poorest communities through access to safe, clean water today.”

So in the end, the Downton Abbey promo photo gaffe known as “water bottle-gate” resulted in helping millions of people all around the world. The period drama returns to British television this fall.

[Image via ITV]