New Video: The Downton Abbey 'Phenomenon'

BBC News spoke to members of the 'Downton Abbey' cast about their successes in the US:

British period drama Downton Abbey has become a global sensation since hitting our screens in 2010. Now the hit ITV1 show is back with a third series set in the roaring 1920s with a new Oscar-winning star.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Downton Abbey writer and co-creator Julian Fellowes feels a bit like he is "riding a whirlwind".

An almost instant hit in the UK, series two cemented Downton as a worldwide "phenomenon" and one of the UK's biggest exports, with more than 100 countries owning the rights to broadcast the show.

The American audience has taken the Crawley family's antics to their heart. Later this month, the show will battle TV drama giants such as Mad Men and Homeland as it competes for 16 awards at the Primetime Emmys.

Read the full article here.