George Clooney may have stepped back in time to join the cast of Downton Abbey, but the Hollywood star enjoyed posing for a very modern photograph.

George Clooney with Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville
George with Downton Abbey star Hugh (ITV)

The newly-married Monuments Men star joined fellow actors including Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter and Allen Leech for a group selfie ahead of ITV’s annual Text Santa charity appeal, which airs tonight.

Robert James Collier, Kevin Doyle, Phyllis Logan and Lily James also appeared in the cast picture.

George Clooney with Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern
George with Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern (ITV)

The 53-year-old has swapped Hollywood for Highclere Castle, making a guest appearance as an American wedding guest for a special sketch for the hit period drama.

George Clooney with Laura Carmichael, Lily James and Michelle Dockery
George has tea with the ladies of the house – Laura Carmichael, Lily James and Michelle Dockery (ITV)

Lady Grantham initially mistakes him for her husband, and he goes on to deliver a peck on the cheek to the Dowager Countess, played by Dame Maggie Smith, who is set to faint during the tongue-in-cheek scene.

George, who married British human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in Venice in September, got a part on the show after becoming friends with actor Hugh Bonneville on the set of The Monuments Men, which he directed and starred in.