Dan Stevens is will play Beast in Beauty and the Beast

Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens is about to become lord of a very different manor as it’s announced he’ll be playing prince turned beast in the live action remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

The British actor, who showed he’s already getting in to character with a Beast Mode tweet, will play the lead role opposite Emma Watson as Belle and Luke Evans as Gaston.

Watson, who announced her involvement in the movie in January via facebook again took to social media to welcome her new cast mate to the team. Saying, “Could not be more happy that this man will be Beast.”

With Harry Potter and Downton Abbey being two of the UK’s most successful exports we have high hopes for this new version of the Tale As Old As Time.