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Done with 'Downton,' Dan Stevens takes 'creepy' turn in dark new thriller

Dan Stevens has come a long way from playing Matthew Crawley, the dashing yet down-to-earth heir on "Downton Abbey" whose tragic death shocked fans in the show's third season. Nearly as shocking, though, is Stevens' star turn in the new thriller "The Guest," for which the British actor grew a scruffy beard, shed significant weight and gained an American accent. During Stevens' visit to TODAY Thu

Dan Stevens has come a long way from playing Matthew Crawley, the dashing yet down-to-earth heir on "Downton Abbey" whose tragic death shocked fans in the show's third season. 

Nearly as shocking, though, is Stevens' star turn in the new thriller "The Guest," for which the British actor grew a scruffy beard, shed significant weight and gained an American accent. 

During Stevens' visit to TODAY Thursday, Natalie Morales called his role, as a troubled Army vet who menaces an innocent family, "really creepy."

Stevens pointed out that the character comes with a dash of Southern charm, too. 

"Charming creepy?" the actor asked, trying to settle on the most accurate description. "Funny charming creepy? Funny charming scary creepy?" 

He finally struck upon the perfect phrase: "Creepy Crawley."

"You are, indeed," Natalie agreed.

"The Guest" opens in theaters Sept. 17. Stevens also stars in "A Walk Among the Tombstones," in theaters Sept. 19.