The cast of Downton Abbey has responded to the snickering, following the release of a publicity still that included a water bottle – an object not quite era appropriate for a period drama television series set in the early 20th century.
Each holding a water bottle, the show’s actors and actresses posed for a photo in support of WaterAid, a non-profit organization based in the United Kingdom that seeks to provide clean water, hygiene education and safe toilets worldwide.
“It brought a really big smile to my face when the cast of Downton Abbey said that they wanted to support WaterAid’s work. How fantastic that the attention created over one water bottle ends up benefiting some of the world’s poorest communities through access to safe, clean water today,” WaterAid chief executive Barbara Frost said on the organisation’s website.
The hubbub all started when someone noticed a water bottle in the background of a photo released to promote season 5 of Downton Abbey.
Oh dear. Someone left a waterbottle in this press photo from @DowntonAbbey #PhotoFail pic.twitter.com/EdZxc8Xlj7
— Darren Bell (@darren_bell) August 14, 2014
Online commentators had a bit of fun with the error, posting photoshopped versions of the photo:
