No, Downton Abbey Dog Isis Is Not Being Killed Off Because of Her Name

The dog from Downton Abbey isn’t being killed off because she has the same name as a terrorist organization, according to one of the show’s stars.

According to Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham, the latest story line involving Isis has absolutely nothing to do with “recent world news.” SPOILER ALERT—during a recent episode of the show’s fifth season (now airing in the UK), Lord and Lady Grantham discussed Isis’ poor health. Viewers saw that the dog was ill and possibly facing the gates of Doggie Heaven any day now.

Of course that fueled immediate speculation that writers were doing away with the dog to avoid having any association with the violent terrorist organization of the same name. Sounds ridiculous, but you just know that people would flood Twitter with lots of “OMG I cannot believe how insensitive you are to name a dog after terrorists #notfunny #boycottdowntonabbey” type complaints directed at the show.

Bonneville finally had enough of all the Internet speculation about the fate of a fictional dog owned by his fictional character. He posted a message on his website to clear up all the rumors. According to him, the story line involving her illness (and possible death) is in no way influenced by anything in the news:

To clarify recent speculation, the labrador that appeared in Series One (1912-14) was a dog called Pharaoh. From Series Two (1916-1920) onwards, the labrador has been a bitch named – in keeping with the Egyptian theme – Isis. Anyone who genuinely believes the Series 5 storyline (1924) involving the animal was a reaction to recent world news is a complete berk.

::Googles ‘berk;’ GASPS::

Well gee, sorry, Mr. Bonneville! Sometimes we get a little too wrapped up in the goings-ons in the lives of dogs. Even the fictional ones on TV.