Chiswick Couple Up for Two Golden Globes

Downton Abbey and film on Marilyn Monroe might bring double glory to W4

Chiswick husband and wife team Elizabeth McGovern and Simon Curtis are  hoping to bring at least one, if not two Golden Globes home from Hollywood for their W4 mantelpiece this weekend.

Elizabeth, who plays Lady Cora in the popular ITV drama series ‘Downton Abbey’ is nominated for a Best Actress award for the television series while her husband Simon Curtis who directed  ‘My Week with Marilyn’ is hoping the film will win the award for Best Picture.

The glittering ceremony will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, with Ricky Gervais hosting for the third time.

Downton Abbey leads the way in the television categories at the Hollywood awards,  with four nominations: best mini-series, best actor for Hugh Bonneville, best actress for Elizabeth McGovern and best supporting actress for Dame Maggie Smith.  The series became the most-watched television programme on Christmas Day in the UK, beating Eastenders.

The couple live in Chiswick with their two daughters.

The film leading the nominations is The Artist, which has so charmed the critics that it is being talked of as a serious Oscar contender despite being silent and in black-and-white. The other nominations in the Best Picture category are Bridesmaids, 50/50 and Midnight in Paris.

Downton Abbey faces opposition from Against the Hour, Mildred Pierce, Too Big to Fail and Cinema Verite.

Meryl Streep is nominated for Best Actress for her performance in The Iron Lady.

In her category of Best Performance as an Actress in a Mini-Series, Elizabeth McGovern faces opposition from Kate Winslet ( Mildred Pierce), Romola Garai (The Hour), Emily Watson (Appropriate Adult) and Diane Lane (Cinema Verite).

The ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, January 14th, is the result of six months planning.  Magnums of Moet and Chandon Grand Vintage 2002 have been specially created for the show and more than 9,000 glasses of champagne will be served throughout the evening.

A team of forty chefs and 110 kitchen staff will serve a ‘ global menu’ of ravioli and arugula, seabass, prime short rib and a trio of desserts.

Presenters lined up to present the coveted awards include Nicole Kidman, Frieda Pinto, Antonio Banderas and Clive Owen.

And should Ms McGovern still be deciding what dress to wear for the occasion, the Daily Telegraph fashion page has advised that a black, embellished Berardi gown, would be the ideal choice for the actress.

January 5, 2012