SPOILERS: Brendan Coyle Says 'Downton Abbey' Season 2 Cast Are 'Thrilled' With Emmy Nods

Actor Brendan Coyle was in the middle of filming a scene for the upcoming third season of Downton Abbey when he found out he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Coyle, who plays fan favorite Mr. Bates on the popular period drama, said that executive producer Gareth Neame broke the news.

“He was on the phone, and he just came up and he said, ‘Hello, Emmy-nominated Brendan Coyle,’ and I just said, ‘Ah, that’s fantastic,'" Coyle told Entertainment Weekly. "I had a real sort of lovely wave of emotion about it, which was very beautiful, and then I had to crack on and get back to work.”

Downton Abbey scored a total of 16 Emmy nominations, including a nod for Outstanding Drama Series as well nods for stars Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggatt and Jim Carter. Coyle added that the cast of Downton Abbey are "absolutely thrilled" with all the positive reaction.

In terms of spoilers, Coyle said he can't reveal much the upcoming season, but that his character starts off in prison and shares key scenes with Froggatt. “What I can say is that season three begins with Mr. Bates in prison, and we’re just shooting scenes from episode eight," he said. "If I told you the circumstance of the scene, I would give away something that I can’t. But the scenes did involve myself and Joanne Froggatt, who’s also been nominated. So I’m so, so happy for her.”