Dan Stevens is stepping way out of the shadow of his "Downton Abbey" character Matthew Crawley with an edgy new look.

The actor debuted his new dark hair, facial hair and skinny frame in March. Stevens left his golden locks and "Downton Abbey" behind after the Season 3 Christmas special.

“We were always optioned for three years,” Stevens said about his "Downton" exit. “And when that came up it was a very difficult decision. But it felt like a good time to take stock, to take a moment. From a personal point of view, I wanted a chance to do other things."

See a side-by-side comparison below.

dan stevens matthew crawley

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  • Season 4 cast: Tom Cullen

    Cullen will play Lord Gillingham, a family friend of the Crawleys who visits the family as a guest at a house party. He's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/02/downton-abbey-lady-mary-boyfriend_n_2796504.html?utm_hp_ref=tv" target="_hplink">one of Lady Mary's potential suitors</a>, along with ...

  • Season 4 cast: Julian Ovenden

    Ovenden will play aristocrat Charles Blake, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/02/downton-abbey-lady-mary-boyfriend_n_2796504.html?utm_hp_ref=tv" target="_hplink">another potential love interest for Lady Mary</a>.

  • Season 4 cast: Dame Harriet Walter

    Walter will play Lady Shackleton, an old friend of the Dowager Countess.

  • Season 4 cast: Joanna David

    David will appear in a guest role as the Duchess of Yeovil.

  • Season 4 cast: Nigel Harman

    Harman will play Green, a valet.

  • Season 4 cast: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

    Te Kanawa will play a guest who sings in the house.

  • Season 4 cast: Shirley MacLaine

    Shirley MacLaine will also return for the Season 4 finale.

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    Shirley MacLaine as Martha Levinson

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Earlier on HuffPost: