Anna Smith-Bates/Joanne Froggatt #4: Because she's generous, kind, and deserves some happiness at last.
 

Anna Smith-Bates

Anna May Bates (née Smith) (b. 1886; played by Joanne Froggatt) is the head housemaid at Downton. Anna was the member of staff who helped Lady Mary and her mother Cora carry the corpse of Kemal Pamuk out of Lady Mary's bedroom. After a long and somewhat secretive courtship she married valet John Bates in 1919 in a secret ceremony at a registar's office. Shortly after their wedding night, Bates is arrested for murdering his previous wife, although Anna and the rest of the residents at Downton are convinced that he is innocent. When Bates is deemed guilty and is sentenced to be hanged, Anna breaks down and briefly prepares to leave Downton Abbey with Lady Mary, offering to accompany her mistress on an extended holiday to America. When she helps to reduce Bates's sentence to life imprisonment, she decides to stay at Downton, although she vows that she will not rest until Bates is free. Anna is promoted from head housemaid to Lady's Maid to Mary during Bates's incarceration. During the time apart from Bates, Anna refuses to fall into hopelessness or despair, though there is a brief period that this wavers, when letters and visits with her husband are stopped for a time. Her efforts to prove her husband's innocence become a success when Mrs. Bartlett, Vera's friend, inadvertently tells Anna details of their last meeting which proves that Vera committed suicide in order to have her husband convicted and hanged for the crime. Bates is freed, and the reunited married couple move into a cottage on the grounds shortly after.

Joanne Froggatt

Joanne Froggatt (born 21 August 1980) is an Emmy-nominated English actress of stage, television, and film, most notably appearing in Downton Abbey as Anna, the head housemaid. She earlier had a regular role in Coronation Street and has also appeared in many other television dramas including Bad Girls, dinnerladies, Nature Boy, Red Cap, A Touch of Frost, Other People's Children, The Street, Rebus, Island at War, and Life on Mars.

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Thanks Lindsay, no need to ask if you liked my suggestion for her new thread. ;)

And looking down the list I just realised my name's not there, it goes without saying I'd love to be added hun. :)

I've added you. :)

The OP needs updating to reflect Anna's SL in S4 but I need to find a good summary for that.

Joanne was in Ibiza this week. :)

http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/...ary/200519.jpg
http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbi...tt-Ibiza-Rocks

Thanks Lindsay, that's a pretty funny pic. :lol: and one crazy outfit that guy's wearing.

It isn't Ibiza if it isn't crazy fun. :lol:

Lovely interview of Joanne below. With some vague spoilers so click at your own risk. :)

Joanne Froggatt: Robin Hood’s Bay to Downton Abbey - Yorkshire Post

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxtHq0yCUAA7EC8.jpg
@RosiesRainbow:
What does our patron @JoFroggatt of #DowntonAbbey have to say abt our @givingtuesdayuk plans? http://

https://www.facebook.com/rosiesrainb...type=1&theater

Aw that's sweet :love:

Poor Anna having to buy "it" for Mary. :lol: She was so uncomfortable but she managed to go through with it. I love her for having to bear and go through that. :lol: :love:

I keep forgetting this unspoken friendship she has with Thomas. It seems to me that she's concerned for him if he sees him troubled (like she consoled Thomas when Sybil died).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/By5dRGBIQAIfOVK.jpg
@JoFroggatt:
Thank you @Rextail_London for a wonderful evening. Incredible food! Desert? It's very light! 💋

Oh wow, that's huge :lol:

IKR. :lol: It looks like bread isn't it?

More voice work for Joanne: Bob the Builder gets a makeover with new look and voice - BBC Newsbeat

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BzxhLRfIEAA97kz.jpg
@JamesEdgington:
Was brilliant to meet & work with @JoFroggatt @MrsAnnaBates @DowntonAbbey guess I joined #teamservants #DowntonAbbey

Yeah it does :lol:

That's great about another project for her and aw the tweet and pictures are sweet.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0FpxYDCIAAm4XJ.jpg
@DowntonAbbey:
Have you sent us your questions for @JoFroggatt? Tweet them using #AskJo & stay with us after Episode 5 for answers!

The entire Q&A is here to read. :)

https://storify.com/DowntonAbbeyUK/t...oanne-froggatt

Thanks for that! She admires Anna's strength :love: And she wants to be Mr Molesley if she can trade with a character :lol: