A Downton Abbey Movie is Officially Happening
Lord and Lady Crawley are once again opening their deliciously scandalous Edwardian English country home to the public. At least for a few hours. The beloved Downton Abbey series is fulfilling the dream of every fan who has ever seen a series finale of a favorite show. Focus Features announced the Crawley family will return for a Downton Abbey movie.
The decadent series starred spectacular talent including Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, and Jim Carter. It made household names of Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens, and Lily James. It also inspired endless memes of Dame Maggie Smith. “Vulgarity is no substitute for wit!” Downton Abbey earned three Golden Globe Awards and 15 Emmy Awards, racking up 69 Emmy nominations overall. Demand was high for more episodes, but the creative team went out on their own terms ending after six sizzling seasons.
The news could not be better for those of us who adored the series. The movie will be no cheap imitation. The original principal cast and creative team will return. The news release didn’t specify exactly which talent would appear, but series creator Julian Fellowes penned the script. Six-time director of the series, Brian Percival, has been selected to direct the film. Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge and Nigel Marchant will also return to produce.
The news was announced on the Downton Abbey Facebook page, noting that production will begin very soon.
Fellowes has completed the Downton Abbey script and cameras are ready to roll. Neame said in the press release, “When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production. Julian’s script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival’s hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen”.
Downton Abbey as a series had a decidedly happy finale. Pretty much everyone got a fairytale ending. Yet, there’s nothing happier than being reunited with characters we have come to love. A toast to the Crawley “future, whatever it may bring.”
Featured Image: Downton Abbey. Via: BBC
