Oscar-winner Fellowes takes seat in House of Lords

[January 13, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- He created the grand houses of Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, and now Julian Fellowes has a place in an even grander one -- Britain's House of Lords.

The Academy Award-winning screenwriter was inducted into Parliament's unelected upper chamber Thursday as Lord Fellowes of West Stafford.

Fellowes wore red, white and gold ermine robes while he swore allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II. He will sit in the Lords as a member of the Conservative Party.

A veteran chronicler of Britain's upper crust, Fellowes won a screenplay Oscar in 2002 for the Robert Altman-directed "Gosford Park."

He wrote the hit TV series "Downton Abbey," currently airing in the U.S. on PBS.

The Lords has the power to amend legislation approved by the elected House of Commons.

[Associated Press]

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