Who plays the character of Anna Bates?

Joanne Froggatt plays Anna Bates in Downton Abbey. Anna begins the series as a housemaid and later becomes Lady Mary's maid, making her one of the most important members of the household staff.

The character was originally Anna Smith. She marries John Bates, Lord Grantham's valet, during the second series and thereafter becomes known as Anna Bates. Her loyalty, discretion and determination place her at the centre of several major downstairs storylines, particularly Bates's imprisonment and the investigation into Mr Green's death.

Joanne Froggatt's performance earned significant recognition, including a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2015. A common mix-up is confusing Froggatt with Lily James, who played Lady Rose MacClare, or Siobhan Finneran, who played Sarah O'Brien. Anna's surname changes after marriage, but the actor portraying her remains Joanne Froggatt throughout the series.