Playing Under the Piano: From Downton to Darkest Peru

‘Utterly charming’ – Jack Whitehall

‘Funny, touching, revealing’ – Gyles Brandreth

‘A gorgeous book’ – Richard Curtis

‘Hugh Bonneville’s considerable talent for writing is on display page after page. Beautiful. Touching. And funny’ – Gary Oldman





Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain’s most accomplished actors, familiar to audiences worldwide for his roles in Notting Hill, the Paddington films and Downton Abbey. From getting his big break as Third Shepherd in the school nativity play, to mistaking a Hollywood star for an estate agent, Hugh creates a brilliantly vivid picture of a career on stage and screen. What is it like working with Judi Dench and Julia Roberts, or playing Robert de Niro’s right leg, or not being Gary Oldman, twice? A wickedly funny storyteller, Hugh also writes with poignancy about his father’s dementia and of his mother, whose life in the secret service only emerged after her death. Whether telling stories of working with divas, Dames or a bear with a penchant for marmalade, this is a richly entertaining account of his life as an actor.

Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Imprint: ABACUS
Publication date: 13/10/2022