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Sarah O'Brien

Sarah O'Brien, who is mainly known as Miss O'Brien, is Lady Grantham's personal maid. She is especially bitter and resentful towards most of the other servants, perhaps due to her family circumstances; she had one favourite brother who had shell shock and later died during the Great War. Although scheming in nature and always looking to manipulate circumstances to hers and Thomas' own benefit, she has a conscience and softens up over the second series. She is one of the few servants who smoke on a regular basis. This is at a time when most women did not smoke and it was very rare for a woman to be seen smoking in public.

O'Brien and Thomas were the only servants who never did like Bates and the duo constantly try to find faults and uncover his past in an attempt to force Mr Carson to sack him. She tells Bates' vengeful estranged wife Vera about the family's dirty secrets in an attempt to force Bates out and Vera uses it to blackmail Bates. After she causes her mistress's unborn child to miscarry by leaving a bar of soap on the floor of Cora's bathroom for her to slip on, she feels guilty. When Thomas decided to buy extra food and supplies on the black market to sell to Downton's kitchen staff, she refuses to get involved in his business but sympathises with Thomas after he realises he has been swindled. After Lady Grantham is struck by a severe case of Spanish flu, O'Brien maintains a bedside vigil, attempting to atone for the miscarriage. Towards the end of the second series she becomes guilt-ridden when she finds out her meddling in Bates' private life has started a chain reaction which led to Vera threatening to expose the family secrets and bring the Crawley family down. O'Brien is one of several servants asked to testify at Bates' trial and is genuinely relieved when they learn that Bates had been reprieved. She also has a nephew, Alfred Nugent, who, later becomes a footman at Downton.

Siobhan Finneran

Siobhan Finneran (born 2 January 1966) is an English television and film actress.

Finneran's first major role was as Rita in the 1986 film, Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Since 2007 she has played Janice in ITV's popular comedy drama Benidorm, appearing in all 5 series and both specials. She was also a regular cast member of acclaimed period drama series Downton Abbey, appearing as Miss O'Brien. Finneran also appeared in The Syndicate in 2013 as a lead role.

kindness is free

Love O'Brien please add me to the list

I have been watching S2 again and the first couple of episodes are so funny when she messes with Ethel sending her up to everyone when maids aren't meant to be up there and making her do jobs

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The family had a right good laugh with that. She was actually good to the valet Lang right? But I didn't like what she did to Cora and the baby. That's why when Cora got sick with the Spanish flu, she couldn't leave her side. She was so repentant. I love her loyalty though, no matter how twisted it is.

heart devoured

Add me please?

sofiab

Siobhan finneran News, Video and Gossip - Jezebel

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OMG, wow. Siobhan looks so beautiful in that picture.

heart devoured

WOW so different from her character!

kindness is free

I know I hardly recognised her

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I love seeing pictures of the cast wearing "normal" clothes.

Love this picture of her with Elizabeth from last year's PBS Summer TCA tour.

Beebbop

Could you add me please, adore this character and Siobhan. I agree with everyone else, almost unrecognisable out of character.

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Added you.

I never really thought that Cora would replace O'Brien because that's not what she is. The Crawleys are always concerned about the staff's happiness which is really nice.

kindness is free

I know me too. Whenever I see pictures of the cast in normal clothes they always look so different

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I wonder what her storyline for s3 would be?

heart devoured

I've no idea what they have in store for O'Brien.

That pic with Elizabeth is lovely.

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It would be interesting if we get another O'Brien ladies maid and challenge her. O'Brien seems to be one who doesn't like to be challenged.