Amazing Spider-Man 2 Villain Paul Giamatti Joins Downton Abbey Cast

Award-winning actor Paul Giamatti, best known to comic book fans as Harvey Pekar in American Splendor and soon to portray The Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, has joined the cast of the hit British drama Downton Abbey for the series' upcoming fourth season. This won't be the first time he's had to affect an English accent for television (assuming that he does); he starred in the HBO miniseries John Adams (as the title character), for which he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe. According to Indiewire, Giamatti "will play the maverick, womanizing brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), making him Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Edith's (Laura Carmichael) uncle. His character will appear in the Season 4 finale alongside returning guest star Shirley MacLaine." Downton Abbey Season Four premieres in the U.S. on PBS on January 5, 2014.