Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern Is in a Band

Elizabeth McGovern HARRY HERD/GETTY

Ends up, Cora Crawley can rock!

Though she plays the upper-crust aristocrat upon Downton Abbey, in real life, Elizabeth McGovern spends her free time jamming ready folk/country band, Sadie and the Hotheads, and can be heard singing on the upcoming : wait for it - Christmas at Downton Abbey album, out Nov. seventeen. So what exactly does a Downton Abbey Christmas album sound like?

"It's just a great collection of Christmas songs done in a classical way, with the Budapest City band and a beautiful choir, " McGovern tells PEOPLE. And cast members performing! McGovern does a solo version of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, inch as well as a duet of "The First Noel" with fellow Downton cast partner Julian Ovenden who plays Charles Blake, one of Lady Mary's two brand new suitors. (Ovenden, a professional singer, has several other solo songs on the album. ) Jim Carter, who plays Carson, does a spoken-word version of " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. "

"I'm not even a big Christmas person, but I do like the music, " McGovern says. "If you separate them from that association, they may really just beautiful songs. 'The First Noel' is a stunningly well-written track, and so is 'Little Drummer Boy. ' "

Christmas at Downton Abbey album

As for her side project, Sadie and the Hotheads, McGovern says she's been jamming with them for more than 10 years, but now credits the actual hit TV show with allowing her to pursue music more seriously.

"It was just the thing I would always do privately with myself and the individuals I play with, " she says. "If it hadn't been for the show, all of us wouldn't have crossed paths with this agent who has gotten us great live music evenings like opening for Sting at the Monterey Jazz Festival. "It's weird, however Downton has opened the door for me to have a place in music. "

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