A ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Is Officially Happening With the Original Cast
Grab your most extravagant hat and plop down for some tea. The original Downton Abbey cast is returning, and this time to bring some British romance drama to the big screen.
Focus Features kicked off Friday in the most delightful way imaginable, officially announcing a Downton Abbey movie is in the works. We’ve heard rumors about it for a while now, but the studio has finally assembled the cast and creator to make it happen. The script comes from none other than series creator Julian Fellowes and will be directed by Brian Percival, who helmed a handful of episodes including the series’ pilot. And yes, all of your favorite Crawleys and Mr. and Mrs. Bates will be back – except, of course, poor Matthew Crawley (RIP).
The official press release from the studio doesn’t list any specific cast members set to return, but Deadline mentions we’ll indeed see Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, and Maggie Smith on the big screen, because what would Downton even be without those three?
There’s no word yet on what the Downton movie will be about, only that it will show the Crawley family’s “next chapter.” We can expect it’ll pick up somewhere after the events of the final season though. The ITV/PBS Masterpiece series ended with Anna and Mr. Bates having a baby, Dockery’s Mary expecting her second child, Edith marrying, and so much more. While I adored the series for a couple seasons, I admittedly never finished it (yes I just spoiled myself on the finale to get you fellow readers up to speed), but why did no one tell me Matthew Goode was on the show? And he plays a guy who marries Mary at the end? I really need to catch up on this British gem.
The iconic Highclere Castle in Berkshire, which serves as the Crawley’s home, will also be used for the movie, of course. Filming is expected to kick off later this summer, though no release date has been set yet. Whatever happens in this cinematic event, I just hope the Dowager Countess finally discovers what a weekend is.