Warning: SPOILERS for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale are ahead!

The Downton Abbey TV series ended in 2015 after six seasons, but fans continued to spend time with the Crawley family and their staff for three theatrical movies. Now, with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’s release on the 2025 movies schedule, it looks like this historical drama has finally come to a close… right? Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes addressed one way this franchise could possibly come back, as well as why it never delved into World War II.

Why Downton Abbey Skipped World War II

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale takes place in 1930, just one year after the Wall Street Crash and 18 years after the sinking of the Titanic, when we met these characters. In an interview with THR, Julian Fellowes said that he always knew this saga was going to end with Mary Talbot taking over the Downton estate and her parents, Robert and Cora, moving into the house where the late Violet Grantham once lived. Fellowes knew he didn’t want to go any further than that, saying:

Although the Downton Abbey TV series took place across 13 years, I agree with Fellowes that making the jump to 1939, when World War II began, would have been too much of a stretch. It’s one thing to cover so many years when you’re making seasons comprised of seven or eight episodes that are an hour each, it’s another thing to cover such a large amount of time over just a few movies that run approximately two hours. Had two or three more Downton Abbey movies been made, maybe hitting the late 1930s or early 1940s could have been accomplished, but fans will just have to make do with the series covering World War I.

How Julian Fellowes Thinks Downton Abbey Could Return

Even with this latest movie being called The Grand Finale, there are questions about if Downton Abbey could continue/return someday. While Julian Fellowes has said multiple times that this will be the last time we see this generation of characters, he mentioned in a separate interview with EW he’s open to the possibility of revisit the property through a different lens. In his words:

One possibility is going backwards in time to see how the Downton estate was run in the late 1800s or even further back. However, this may overlap too much with what Fellowes is doing with HBO’s The Gilded Age, and Fellowes has acknowledged that a crossover between the two properties could work. The other option is jumping ahead several decades and seeing what’s going on at Downton in the 1960s or 1970s. This would allow for us to spend time with the now-adult-aged children of characters like Mary and Edith.

For now, the book is closed on Downton Abbey, but obviously if that changes in the coming years, we’ll let you know. While The Grand Finale continues its theatrical run, the TV series and first two movies can be streamed with a Peacock subscription.

After spending over 15 years within the walls of Downton Abbey and adoring each barb, aside and snide remark from Dame Maggie Smith as the legendary Dowager Countess, I have been reflecting on my own personal favorite moments. With the final installment of this beloved franchise, titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, premiering on the 2025 movie schedule, I had to ask the cast what some of their favorite moments were.

What The Downton Abbey Cast Said About Maggie Smith

They all mentioned some of the greats, the swivel chair being among them. But Laura Carmichael told me about one she finds hilarious, and now I am going on the hunt for this new BTS Easter Egg…

Most of the time when I am watching Downton Abbey, I am focused on the sassy insults and forget to look at the other actors in the scene. But now I am so excited to go back to Season 5 and see if I can catch Carmichael break character. I imagine that this is not the only time one of the actors broke, and I wonder how many other BTS easter eggs are out there, just like this one.

I do not know if the telephone scene will replace one of my personal favorites but it also includes Lady Edith from Season 2, Episode 8. Lady Edith is worried that she will never marry and become a "maiden aunt," to which the Dowager replies, “Don’t be defeatist, dear. It’s very middle class.” I went back and watched this scene, and they cut back to Edith after and we see a smirk cross her face. Which makes me think that perhaps Carmichael broke once again, but who could blame her? It's hilarious.

Julian Fellowes Also Weighed In On Maggie Smith

I also was able to ask Julian Fellowes what one of his favorite moments was, and I forgot about it until he brought it up, but it is iconic…

Fellowes hit the nail on the head. Smith takes a curious approach to the line. It seems as if the concept of a ‘weekend’ is foreign to the Dowager, and therefore it’s laugh-out-loud funny. The overall consensus is that there are just too many moments to pick just one. If I asked the cast again, I am sure they would have different answers. I am sure mine will change as well, but for now, I will definitely be on the lookout for these in particular on my next rewatch.

As we all know, Maggie Smith not being in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale was always going to be hard to handle, but she is still woven into the very fabric of the film, and it pays tribute to her beautifully. There is no Downton without the Dowager, and her presence and spirit can be felt throughout the entire film. Make sure to watch the new movie when it hits theaters this weekend, as well as read our Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale review now.

Downton Abbey has had an impressive run, first with the six-season TV show and now a movie trilogy, as the final installment, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, prepares to hit the 2025 movie calendar. The trailer promises plenty of emotion and surprising moments as fans bid farewell to the Crawley family and their staff. Critics have seen the latest offering, and they agree fans will be satisfied.

In the continuation of the historical drama, the Crawleys are grappling with the threat of social disgrace amid Mary and Henry’s divorce and the family’s financial woes. Hugh Scott says in CinemaBlend’s review of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale that creator Julian Fellowes has managed to convey a light and cheerful tone while not losing the realism of the tough circumstances, ultimately providing a satisfying conclusion for most of the characters. Scott rates the movie 4 out of 5 stars, writing:

Jocelyn Noveck of the AP gives the movie 2.5 out of 4 stars, noting that it would be difficult for newcomers to grasp all of the characters and their stories, but fans will be satisfied with this conclusion. Noveck also says The Grand Finale is a tribute to the late Maggie Smith in more ways than one. The critic writes:

Matt Goldberg of The Wrap calls The Grand Finale a “perfectly pleasant” sendoff that, of the three movies, feels the most in line with the TV series. The final movie honors the idea that Downton Abbey is ultimately about a changing world and the people who must learn to change with it. Goldberg continues:

James Dyer of Empire rates it 3 stars out of 5, saying that the question of whether or not Downton Abbey can exist without Maggie Smith — who died in 2024 — is answered with a surprising yes. The finale does Cousin Violet proud, Dyer says, writing:

Tomris Laffly of Variety says it’s a “heart-swelling conclusion,” as Julian Fellowes continues to proudly push these familiar characters out of their comfort zones while still wrapping the film in nostalgia. The critic continues:

Critics largely agree that fans who have stuck with the Crawleys since 2010 — through the series, Christmas specials and two other movies — won’t be disappointed with this last chapter. To that point, the movie stands at 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, with 98% on fans’ Popcornmeter.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale hits theaters on Friday, September 12, and if you’d like to relive any of the family’s previous antics, both the TV show and first two movies can be streamed with a Peacock subscription.

Much talk has already come down the pipeline about the late, great Dame Maggie Smith as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale prepares to hit the 2025 movie release schedule. Creator Julian Fellowes worked with the onscreen icon for years before Downton Abbey 2 said goodbye to the Dowager Countess, and he has revealed the new movie will pay tribute to the actress in two notable ways.

First, if you can recall the events of the last movie The New Era, it ended with the Dowager Countess ensuring her son that his father was absolutely his father and he was not the result of an affair. Shortly thereafter, the Dowager Countess passed away. The movie actually ended on a shot of a new portrait of Violet in the entry hall, and that her spirit (and one notable portrait) will very much remain when The Grand Finale unveils its story with the fans that have stuck with it for years.

Fellowes was speaking with The Times ahead of Downton Abbey 3’s big release when he spoke about Maggie Smith’s presence within the film. He's not the first person involved with the movie to mention it was a highlight to pay "tribute" to Smith, as Michelle Dockery previously confirmed this. Gareth Naeme also previously suggested her passing in the franchise and in real life added a layer of "poignancy" and weight to the new film.

However, what Fellowes is giving fans is a few new details. Fans should also stick around during the end credits, as the longtime writer, director and producer also revealed a second way the movie will pay tribute to the actress, who died at 89.

It’s hard telling if that’s a message or video memory situation, but I think it is fair to say the Dowager Countess (and in particular her relationship with Lady Mary) was long the most fundamental and intriguing aspect of the series. Sure, we care about Robert and Cora. Yes, we love Tom and the downstairs crew, in particular Carson, but the Dowager Countess had the best lines in the whole series and was the heart of what Downton was about.

That seems to be true for the cast, too, as Hugh Bonneville said that when the show originally wrapped, he had a champagne-filled moment with his TV mother, and was able to tell Smith how "remarkable" it was to have her as a TV mom.

Even when the Downton Abbey: A New Era ended, I never really envisioned there would be a film without her. Yet here we are, three years after the events in the last film, and the 1930s have arrived in the Downton timeline. It’s a little bittersweet the series is ending at all, but it tugs at my heartstrings to know Smith wasn’t there for it. I’m so glad they found ways to nod at her memory and contribution to the long-running franchise as a whole.

Preparing for the grand gala that the 2025 TV schedule calls The Gilded Age Season 3 has been quite a joy. But if you’re co-writer/creator Julian Fellowes, that fun comes at a cost; especially with the final Downton Abbey movie heading our way in the same year. And since questions persist surrounding the potential crossover of both high society epics, Fellowes actually highlighted a greater obstacle that I’m surprised we hadn’t called out sooner.

While chatting with TV Insider, The Gilded Age mastermind addressed the consistent thread that speculates Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora Crawley (nee Levinson) is the key to a pre-Downton crossover episode. As always, Julian Fellowes took great pains to answer this question, especially since he’s now thrown this potential stumbling block into the equation:

Just when it seems like we've cracked the "who" in this case of TV crossover, the "how" has now shown up uninvited, threatening to drink all the champagne. The home base for The Gilded Age is definitely a problem, as HBO Max subscription holders are the ones who get to watch the adventures of the Van Rhijn family, as well as their friends, enemies, and relations. As for the adventure of Downton Abbey, they originally aired on ITV and PBS, and are now part of the Peacock streaming family.

So, sadly, hope for a smooth crossover has been dashed due to the projects being housed at different companies.

That being said, there is one obscure fact that could potentially bridge the gap between these Julian Fellowes creations. Seeing as The Gilded Age began life at NBC, Universal Television is still a credited party on the finished show that went to HBO. Seeing as Universal also owns Peacock, there’s a chance the company’s remaining stake could clear the hurdles of bureaucracy.

Much like young Cora Levinson’s family being present in 1890’s New York, familial connections keep the door open for an event many are hoping will take place. Between plot concerns and business connections, there should at least be talks to feel out if The Gilded Age’s hypothetical meet-up is a mutually beneficial prospect.

Considering Downton Abbey fans will be eager for news on potential expansions, it’d be a shame to pass up a discussion in the drawing room. For now, though, the worlds of Julian Fellowes are firmly divided, both ready to return before our very eyes.

This Sunday at 9 PM ET will mark The Gilded Age’s Season 3 premiere on HBO and HBO Max, whereas Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will hit theaters on September 12th. So, while our hopes of a crossover might be dwindling, at least we can see new stories from both properties very soon.

As Charles Dickens once said in A Christmas Carol, “life’s made of meetings and partings.” While the 2025 movie schedule won’t feature any new adaptation of Tiny Tim’s hypothetical death, it will mark the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. With its debut, the film will certainly be closing the curtain on an era of pop culture. However, series creator/writer Julian Fellowes has hinted at a couple ways in which the Crawley legacy could continue and, at the same time, there's an ongoing fan theory that could make fans shed happy tears.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Might Not Be The End Of The Crawley Family Legacy

Deadline caught up with Julian Fellowes, as he prepares for the Tribeca Film Festival’s event honoring The Gilded Age Season 3’s premiere. So, of course, the subject of Downton Abbey 3 came up, and how that confirmed finale event is set to conclude the ITV series’ cinematic trilogy. However, Fellowes doesn't seem keen on writing off some sort of revival completely, as he shared this promising development when asked if the threequel will truly be the end:

Oh, my dear friends, Mr. Carson’s prediction of a “century” of history at Downton may still very well be in play. Although, as the EP noted above, the original series cast will probably be absent from whatever project may or may not come next. Come to think of it, after watching Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’s teaser, I wonder if it’ll even connect to the storied estate at all.

A change in characters could be fun to follow, whether it’s the Crawley family’s adventures out of the family home, or the tale of the potential new family moving onto the grounds. But that’s not the only promising tease that Julian Fellowes had to offer. He dropped another one that ties to something that fans of The Gilded Age have been talking about since day one.

The Gilded Age Crossover Theory Could Still Become A Reality

Even from the first season of Fellowes’ long-in-development series The Gilded Age, fans were curious about potential Downton Abbey crossovers. As he continued to avoid using the world "never," Julian Fellowes seemed to provide some hope regarding cross polination:

While the Max subscription offering most recently featured events unfolding in 1883 New York and Downton starts in 1912, the possibility has always seemed to exist. The strongest potential thread in that pitch has always been the American-born Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), whose family relations made their fortune prior to the events we saw in Downton Abbey. Despite that, as of the first two seasons, no connections between the two series have been forged.

It's not for lack of enticing options, though. Perhaps the Levinson family will be a party that tries to do business with George Russell (Morgan Spector) and his volatile holdings? Maybe a young Violet Crawley will stop in New York and trade jabs with Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski)? There’s no limit to what could happen, except the conditions Julian Fellowes potentially lays out. Whatever the case, I'd love to see Downton continue in some form or fashion.

Get ready for a summer of speculation, as The Gilded Age Season 3 premieres on June 22nd at 9 PM ET on HBO/HBO Max! Meanwhile Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set to send off the franchise in style, only in theaters, starting September 12th.

Warning: spoilers for Downton Abbey: A New Era are in play. If you haven’t seen the film yet, you may want to check out one of our other lovely articles. 

The cast of Downton Abbey is a large ensemble that is impressive in a multitude of ways. That sort of advantage can cut both ways, as some characters once central to the plot of a TV series can sometimes get lost in the cinematic shuffle. Writer/creator Julian Fellowes recently admitted to feeling a couple of characters had gotten the short end of the stick in the first movie. So when it came time to write the story for the upcoming movie A New Era, he consciously used the opportunity to beef up a couple central figures in the Downton dynasty, Robert and Cora Grantham. 

Again, it cannot be stressed enough that we’ll be going deep into details involving a plotline that runs throughout this film, connecting straight to the ending. So if you haven’t seen the movie, you can always read something like my official review of Downton Abbey: A New Era to remain informed, but unspoiled. Now that we’ve got that formality out of the way, it’s time to revisit my talk with Downton Abbey writer/creator Julian Fellowes. 

Taking place on the press day for A New Era, Robert and Cora’s story was something I had to ask about another health scare, this time in reference to Cora Crawley, the Countess of Grantham. In light of the “iconic character” death promised in Downton Abbey’s sequel, that choice felt like it had a specific purpose. Julian Fellowes confirmed as much to CinemaBlend, revealing he’d woven in this obstacle with the following intent: 

Powerful rumors surround a movie like Downton Abbey: A New Era during its production cycle, because of how anticipated the next chapter’s developments happen to be. This time out, the subject of great interest happened to be speculation that an “iconic character” was going to die in Downton Abbey 2. Immediately that whisper seemed to point out that Dame Maggie Smith’s Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was going to be the one saying goodbye. 

The ending of 2019’s Downton Abbey movie practically sets this up, as Violet revealed to Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) that she was terminally ill, with no specific timetable as to how long she had left. Trailers for A New Era fueled that speculation, but the surprise involving Cora's illness not only draws attention from that assumption, it also strikes a crucial chord.

Throughout the latest Downton story, we see Cora going for medical tests that recall the Dowager Countess' recent developments all too well. Frequently seen as tired and not feeling well, McGovern's iconic Downton Abbey characters eventually arrives at one of the hardest-hitting moments in the sequel. Upon learning of Cora’s medical concerns, husband Robert (Hugh Bonneville) has a moment where he breaks down into tears during a party at the French villa they had travelled to together.  

Paying homage to their sometimes-complicated-but-always-loving marriage, it's also a moment that calls back to certain developments mentioned throughout the series' history. Eventually, all turns out to be well, as resident physician Dr. Clarkson (David Robb) reveals that Cora is suffering from the very treatable pernicious anemia. Strangely enough, this wasn’t the first diagnosis of this particular condition, as Downton Abbey’s series finale initially saw Lord Merton (Douglas Reith) given that same news. 

Certain characters in the firmament of this fan-favorite series will always be standouts. Much as Julian Fellowes knew Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess was always a huge win for the series, strengthening the relationship of Downton's beautiful pair continues to pay off for the fans. 

As always Downton Abbey 3 isn’t a sure thing, but should there be another return to the lives of the ever-growing Crawley family, the foundation continues to provide ample opportunities. All that has to happen is for the fans to embrace A New Era, and that day could come sooner than later. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era is currently in theaters, ready to soak up the tears and the laughter of its eager audience. Whether you’re heading out to the movies or have already seen Julian Fellowes’ latest, you can still revisit the stories that came before. Peacock Plus subscribers can access the entire series, as well as Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture, at the time of this writing.

Any experience in the world can inspire a creator like Julian Fellowes to start a legacy like Downton Abbey. With the world of upcoming movies seeing A New Era currently in UK cinemas, and on the way to domestic theaters in late May, a lot of reflection on the past has been mixed in with looking towards the future. With Fellowes not being immune to that strategy, he recently revealed the teenage experience that led him to eventually start the beloved TV series that kicked things off.

During his fireside chat with Downton star Hugh Bonneville, Julian Fellowes recounted a vacation he’d gone on as a teenager, which would set the scene. Through the interview released by Focus Features, Fellowes credited the following experience as the thematic foundation for the Downton estate: 

While he might not have known at that point that Maggie Smith would be key to Downton Abbey's success, the basic framework wedged itself into Julian Fellowes’ mind pretty early. Merely experiencing the flash of activity between both halves of that “grand house” left an impression that would not only shape Downton, but could probably also be chalked up to another project he shepherded some years prior.

That would be the 2001 film Gosford Park, a murder mystery that also saw the focus shifting between the upstairs and downstairs characters involved. Fellowes would even win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay at 2002’s Oscars, with the Robert Altman-directed movie being up for seven awards that year.

Perhaps the telling sign that signaled the future is the fact that Julian Fellowes wrote a sharp-witted Dowager Countess into Gosford Park, and as luck would have it, she was also played by Dame Maggie Smith. Try watching this scene and not imagining Violet Grantham delivering a similar blow, though perhaps with a little less acid: 

Downton Abbey and Gosford Park both seem to owe a debt to Julian Fellowes’ experience as a teenager. It shows even more now that the Downton Abbey series, and its latest film entry, are firmly established in what to expect. This was even noted in our official review for A New Era, which acknowledges that the fan service is stronger than ever. But again, it wasn’t like Fellowes had an immediate lightbulb moment that set him to a pen and paper. Further explaining himself, Fellowes rounded off this part of the story with these remarks: 

The realm of the ordinary has definitely changed, both in reality and in the universe that Downton Abbey: A New Era calls home. Much as the title and the film’s trailers have suggested, the times are changing for the Downton family on both sides of the societal coin. If Julian Fellowes' story is any indication, and if Downton fans keep returning, maybe the ultimate end will see the Grantham family's heirs traced into the swinging '60s. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era hits US theaters on May 20th, with UK audiences already enjoying the next chapter in Julian Fellowes’ cinematic expansion. That leaves plenty of room for American audiences to catch up with the entire legacy that came before, or selected highlights, through the world of streaming. Peacock subscribers are in luck, as that platform is the home for all things Downton, past and present. 

In the world of Downton Abbey, it’s hard not to imagine the Dowager Countess sitting squarely at the center of creator Julian Fellowes’ fictional universe. That’s not to downplay the importance of the spectacular cast that makes up the rest of the roster, but Dame Maggie Smith is clearly a fan favorite. Ahead of Downton Abbey: A New Era’s debut on the schedule of 2022 movie releases, the man behind the matriarch opened up about why Smith’s casting was such a coup for the series that started it all.

In the first of several fireside chats that Julian Fellowes will be having with other Downton cast members, the man himself spoke with Hugh Bonneville about that very subject. Here’s how Fellowes explained this notion in a video released by Focus Features: 

Some roles (and in the case of Downton Abbey, some actors) are a good indicator of having a winning formula on your hands. Dame Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess is absolutely proof of that assumption, as throughout the six season run of ITV’s hit drama series, she’s been a constant fan favorite. Always ready with a stern word or a couple of sharp barbs against her opponents, that adoration has carried over into the world of the films that followed the end of the Downton Abbey TV series’ run. 

Of course, it’s that fondness that’s left fans anticipating massive heartbreak in Downton Abbey: A New Era, as there have been rumors that the Dowager Countess might be taking her last bow. With a long-held secret finally being revealed to the rest of the Downton family, Violet Grantham’s life and times seem to be a very important thread in this next chapter. 

That sort of thing can be a sign that a character’s on their way out, and Downton Abbey is certainly no stranger to heartbreaking departures. Anyone currently caught in the middle of a catch-up binge of the previous entries as a Peacock subscriber can tell you that, and there's certainly going to be plenty of others joining those ranks in the weeks to come.

Whatever the future holds in store for Maggie Smith’s iconic character, there are some things we can automatically assume. One is that if there is a death in the cards for Downton Abbey A New Era, Julian Fellowes probably has a good reason for giving Violet Grantham, or whomever the bell tolls for this time, such an exit. Another assumption is that whether or not there’s room for Dame Smith to return yet again, so long as there’s a good reason behind it all, she’ll be game.

The wait is almost over for domestic audiences, as Downton Abbey: A New Era is set to open on May 20th. Meanwhile, moviegoers in the United Kingdom will get to dig in a month early, with the film’s debut set to take place tomorrow. Either way, be mindful of spoilers, as they’re undoubtedly going to be flying fast and furious once that first showing lets out. So for the sake of the Dowager Countess, mind your spoilers in the name of being good company.

Compared to the amount of time it took for Downton Abbey: The Movie to get to the big screen, the film’s sequel feels like it’s proceeded with the speed of Sonic the Hedgehog. Even with release date delays, the sequel is arriving in theaters roughly two-and-a-half years after its predecessor. There's no need to fear how fast it has come together, however. While director Simon Curtis's Downton Abbey: A New Era has arrived in rather speedy fashion, Fellowes’ return to the Crawley family legacy is a welcomed one made especially for the fans.

After the events of Downton Abbey: The Movie saw the titular estate play host to a royal visit, A New Era continues to keep things interesting for its characters. Thanks to a shocking revelation from the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith), a villa in the south of France has become a part of the Crawley family’s holdings. While some of the family and household staff head out to learn more about why this particular gift was made by a rather mysterious benefactor, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is left to oversee something more taxing than a visit from the monarchy: the filming of a major motion picture.

It’s this dual story structure that gives Downton Abbey: A New Era unique opportunities to move into the future, while also some interesting pitfalls it falls prey to. Despite the obstacles, Simon Curtis’ latest addition to the franchise still sails along with charm and civility to spare. By the time the fan service starts to kick in throughout the movie’s later acts, what’s usually a liability when it comes to cinematic adaptations of beloved TV shows actually becomes a valuable asset.

Downton Abbey: A New Era embraces the series’ history, while also laying a path forward.

It’s time to revisit that age old question: do I have to have watched Downton Abbey’s six seasons and a movie to understand what’s going on in A New Era? The answer is a mixed bag, but the quick and proper answer is that you need to have at least watched the 2019 feature to latch onto the story presented this time around. However, if you’re a die hard fan, you’re in for quite a treat.

The fan service that’s on display has stronger this time around, with more specific ties to the television series than its cinematic predecessor has. Downton Abbey: A New Era connects stories and characters that haven’t been mentioned since the TV series and weaves them into current events. In particular, Lady Mary and the Dowager Countess’s backstories are used to guide them through some rather rough waters.

That’s not to say that Downton Abbey 2 is trying to dig straight into memory lane and stay there. As both plot lines progress, there’s more importance put on certain characters who have already been billed as the next generation. Opening with the marriage of Lucy Bagshaw (Tuppence Middleton) and Thomas Branson (Allen Leech), the couple that closed the previous installment with their fledgling romance kick off an important branch into the future. 

Mixing homages to old Hollywood with the franchise’s usual brand of personal intrigue, the story is delightful, but a bit unfocused.

With everything that was set up in 2019’s Downton Abbey movie, A New Era could have easily stayed in familiar lanes all the way home. That’s not what happens, as both the feature film production and the trip to the south of France try to introduce new wrinkles for our old friends. It’s ambitious, but it doesn’t totally work. Come to think of it, there’s at least two movies’ worth of ideas at play in Downton Abbey: A New Era, which leaves the earlier portion of the film a bit unfocused.

Neither story feels terribly out of place, especially taking into account the obstacles presented in each. On one hand, watching Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) dealing with a mystery inheritance and all of its trappings is pure Downton intrigue. While it’s something we’ve seen before time and again, it’s been handled with grace each time. It’s only this latest outing that slightly fumbles this familiar ball, as it has to contend and eventually combine with the other half of the plot.

It’s feels crazy to say this, but Downton Abbey: A New Era owes pieces of its film set drama plot to a well-revered Hollywood classic. Cribbing from pieces of Singin’ in the Rain’s story about the rise of the Talkies, some very familiar elements come into play. While a bit jarring at first, the end result plays more as an homage than a rip off, and it sets the table up for some of the most heartwarming moments that Downton fans are sure to enjoy.

Part of the joy felt in this half of the puzzle comes from the newcomers to the Downton Abbey legacy. Hugh Dancy and Dominic West continue to properly embody charming and handsome period dramedy figures, as they are wont to do, so their fan bases are definitely taken care of. However, the stand out has to be Laura Haddock and her character of Myrna Dalgleish. Earning the film’s first big laugh with simple precision, and eventually becoming a figure that plays to all of Downton’s emotional strengths, her presence pays off the movie's investment in the new and unique.  

Downton Abbey: A New Era plays its cards smartly overall, keeping the saga moving in appropriately beautiful fashion.

Though its focus isn’t as sharp as the previous entry, Downton Abbey: A New Era tries something new, and on the whole it works. For a sequel that came together quickly, the historical pitfall of going bigger for the sake of spectacle is avoided. If there should be another Downton film on the horizon, the options for where the story could go are still as open as ever.

Even better, the thematic cards in Downton Abbey’s new movie are played so smartly, certain eventualities seem to be left to chance to even the most astute devotees. Not once does the pacing dip, nor does the story take ridiculous out of character left turns to cook up drama. You won’t see Mr. Bates becoming a spy for the crown, nor is the Dowager Countess a secret Communist. Instead, the freshness of the drama  comes from paying more attention to characters that were previously on the sidelines, while also introducing new players to bounce off of their more established energy.

Downton Abbey: A New Era is a comparative step back, but it’s not a mistake. Rather, it just pales slightly when compared to the previous Downton Abbey feature on first blush. It may be a case of too much innovation too soon, but that’s something to be debated over time. For now, it’s safe to say that this latest visit with the Crawleys is a well-earned sequel that takes chances and still leaves its fans either smiling or with tears in their eyes. That’s not a spoiler, as it’s basically the standard playbook for Downton Abbey. So long as that never changes, the chances taken in the long run won’t ruin the charms of this still beloved franchise.

With audiences set to take their first trip to The Gilded Age, the comparisons between what some are calling “the American Downton Abbey” and the real Downton are only going to continue to grow. But could these worlds of American society and English aristocracy ever meet together in a crossover event? The creator of both series, Julian Fellowes, has responded with a cryptic, but hopeful answer. 

Julian Fellowes recently spoke with Deadline about his latest series, which is about to debut on HBO and its streaming home, HBO Max. While The Gilded Age may take place some years before Downton Abbey introduced us to the Crawley family, there are some angles that a potential meetup could use to become a reality. For the moment, Mr. Fellowes is leaving the subject in a pretty open place, as his official line on a crossover is as follows: 

Officially, no news is good news. As The Gilded Age looks to explore New York City’s high society in 1882, there’s absolutely no way you’ll see characters like Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora Levinson Crawley in a way with which you are familiar. With Downton Abbey starting in 1912, there's a 30-year gap between these two shows. Though that doesn’t mean there’s no way for familiar faces to pop up with new appearances; and looking at the series’ trailer, the Crawleys would definitely fit into those surroundings.  

In fact, Cora’s lineage is probably the best link that the two series could hope to share; at least for the time being. That is, unless the plan is to drop an unknown adventure for Dame Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess into The Gilded Age’s storyline somewhere. Let’s not forget, the first Downton Abbey: A New Era trailer has proven that she’s capable of hiding her personal history until it’s convenient to reveal such details. Even then, we more than likely will be seeing younger, and potentially recast, versions of those characters on our screens, should this scenario even come to pass. 

At the moment, the world can rejoice that one of the many shows on HBO Max is about to broaden Julian Fellowes’ fictional imprint into another chapter of historical drama and frivolity. The future could hold some surprises that bring the worlds of Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age closer together, deepening the connection between the two. Whether or not that happens is something we’ll just have to wait and see about, while also puzzling out the different connections that might be the most plausible scenario. Just as he has a formula for killing off Downton characters, Fellowes probably has some preliminary notes on all of the moving parts that would need to fall into place.

You might want to pay close attention to the events of The Gilded Age, as they’re about to unfold on HBO on Mondays at 9 PM ET, with the HBO Max drop happening soon after. Don’t forget to check out the 2022 TV schedule, which has all of the winter and spring debut dates you could hope for. And if you’re looking to get some Downton Abbey into your diet, you can dig into all six seasons and the motion picture through a subscription to Peacock Premium.

Sequel talk surrounding Downton Abbey’s potential return to the big screen has been a hot topic ever since the Focus Features release broke records for the distributor when it came to its worldwide box office run. And now, creator Julian Fellowes has gone on record as stating a specific time frame as to when he might start working on that follow-up: just as soon as he’s done with his current project.

During a TCA event celebrating the Epix adaptation of Fellowes’ novel Belgravia, the period piece mastermind playfully fielded the question of when he would be starting work on Downton Abbey 2. His answer, which was noted as a potential joke, was this:

As Julian Fellowes also has that aforementioned HBO series on his plate, a potential second installment of the Crawley’s cinematic odyssey sounds like it would have to wait for quite a while in the grand scheme of things. Making a move from its former home at NBC, The Gilded Age is a ten episode spiritual prequel that takes place in 1880’s America, and boasts a cast that includes Cynthia Nixon, Amanda Peet, and Christine Baranski. So one can see why that would be a priority on Mr. Fellowes' mind at the current moment, as expectations are as high as the production's pedigree.

With The Gilded Age set to start shooting later this year, according to Deadline’s coverage pertaining to these remarks, Fellowes may not get to approach the subject of a Downton Abbey sequel story until around that very timeframe.

So if you’re one of those fans who want to see the continued adventures of Lord and Lady Grantham, Lady Mary, and the rest of the characters that made the series in a more expedited fashion, this probably sounds like bad news.

However, it’s another hopeful sign that this film could actually happen, and considering past remarks about Downton Abbey’s continued cinematic existence, it’s the best indicator we’ve gotten so far. Let’s not forget, producer Gareth Neame previously stated that talks were in early phases, and that sort of vague talk seemed like a weak sign of hope.

What makes Julian Fellowes remarks this time around rather promising is the fact that before the first Downton Abbey film happened, he wasn’t all that hopeful for the chances of the jump from TV to cinema ever happening. And yet, even if this what Fellowes said above is a lighthearted joke, the fact that he’s not dismissing Downton Abbey 2: The Wrath of the Dowager Countess outright is something that seems like a marked improvement of fortune.

Not to mention, even if he’s having a problem trying to figure out what a Downton sequel’s story should be centered around, there’s plenty of input from various cast members and even director Michael Engler that could lead to some promising results. So the previous case of writers block that stymied Julian Fellowes’ work on the initial film should, thankfully, be absent when it comes to the writing process of Downton Abbey 2.

As usual, nothing is set in stone when it comes to Downton Abbey 2’s writing process, and Fellowes may find himself drawn to another project’s good graces once The Gilded Age is finished to his liking. However, knowing how passionate the fandom is about any potential continuation of the Downton legacy, anything could happen while the series’ popularity is enjoying a second wind of sorts.

For now, Downton Abbey’s cinematic event is currently on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD, with the entire series available on streaming through Prime Video and other fine providers of streaming media.

Seeing Downton Abbey on the big screen is an incredibly rewarding experience for Julian Fellowes. The creator of the Downton Abbey television series and writer of the new feature film never thought that a movie would actually happen, especially considering the busy schedules of all the actors involved. So when it did finally happen and Julian Fellowes got to see his characters on the big screen, it proved very gratifying, as he explained:

Seeing Downton Abbey on the big screen provided Julian Fellowes with the rewarding experience of being able to watch the audience react in real time to this story and these characters. Here he was specifically answering a question about writing for Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton. He got great pleasure out of watching the audience react to his dialogue for the Dowager Countess and Lady Merton, delivered by these two talented actors on the big screen.

While watching Downton Abbey on the big screen in a huge auditorium, Julian Fellowes was able to hear and see the crowd laughing together at the film’s humor. This is an experience that he didn’t and couldn’t have had with the TV series, this reaction to his film could only be experienced in theaters.

As Julian Fellowes told WBUR, when watching at home, his family members may have already seen the episode or they might be distracted and not entirely engaged. In theaters you have a captive audience, there to see Downton Abbey and you are able to witness their honest reaction to the film. That honest reaction was one of laughter and enjoyment and Julian Fellowes got to experience that firsthand, which he found very rewarding.

It also had to be very cool just to see these characters that he created up on the big screen, presented in such a grand fashion. Although the lines between TV and movies are blurred these days and TV is no longer ‘lesser,’ a theatrical film still elevates Downton Abbey in a way.

It’s an interesting example of the differences for a creator between the big and small screens. Sure you can look at ratings and social media reactions and read articles to find out what people thought of an episode of TV, but that’s filtered and secondhand and delayed. Sitting in the theater with a crowd and having a communal experience allows you to witness reactions that are unfiltered and genuine and immediate.

Those reactions may not always matter as much in the grand scheme as those that can be measured with hard numbers, but it’s understandable that they would mean more. Thankfully for Downton Abbey, the hard numbers also validate that the film was a rewarding experience for audiences. The film from director Michael Engler beat out the competition and the tracking to have an excellent opening weekend and it's now over $111 million worldwide according to Box Office Mojo.

It’s the kind of performance that opens the door for other TV shows to try their hand at the big screen for a similarly rewarding experience. For Downton Abbey, it certainly seems possible that Julian Fellowes will find himself sitting in a theater with an audience watching the Crawley family again if a sequel gets made, although there are no plans for another movie at the moment.

Downton Abbey is now playing. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see what other movies are headed to the big screen this year.

You might find it hard to believe, but Downton Abbey has quietly become a runaway hit since it opened in theaters a little over a week ago. With consistently impressive numbers and a relatively small production budget, there’s a chance this film could be making a case for at least one sequel, if not a franchise of films helping to wrap the story of writer/creator Julian Fellowes’ Crawley family. As it happens, the way this first film has performed, along with how it ends, both confirm the notion that a sequel would be a fantastic idea.

While the numbers seem to speak for themselves, it’s really down to whether or not the creative team could see themselves coming back for another Downton Abbey adventure. Obviously, there are a lot of pieces that need to fall into place for any sort of follow-up to take place, but we do have some ideas regarding where and why things could move forward in the future.

A good place to start is whether or not there’s a concrete plan in play for Downton Abbey to move forward in sequels. Unfortunately, according to director Michael Engler, the answers is a resounding no. That's not to say there isn't hope however. Let's talk it out.

There Aren’t Plans For A Downton Abbey Movie Sequel... Yet

Reviving a six-season television series like Downton Abbey for one more big screen adventure almost felt like a way to really wrap things up. Whether it’s because of Julian Fellowes needing a specific amount of inspiration to get the first film off the ground, or if everyone involved was being optimistically cautious about whether or not the cinematic event would be a hit, there were no conscious plans to leave the doors open for a sequel movie.

However, that’s not to say that there couldn’t be a sequel, as Julian Fellowes tends to like his stories to close off chapters in time with paths to the future. Michael Engler understands that fact as well as anyone, as he displayed when I spoke with him, on behalf of CinemaBlend, for the Downton Abbey press day. His assessment of the situation was the following:

There may not be exact plans to make a Downton Abbey sequel, but there’s certainly a lot of room for such a possibility to happen. And with that Fellowes openness in the air, there’s no telling what could be headed down the road for our beloved characters. Uncertainty is the word of the day, and even without any specific odds, it was a possibility I needed to discuss with the members of the cast I got to speak with.

What’s The Next Big Adventure For The Crawley Household?

Elizabeth McGovern’s Lady Cora Crawley, (Hugh Bonneville, who plays her husband Lord Robert Crawley, and the rest of their family have just experienced a royal visit, as well as some familial intrigue over an inheritance that revealed a family secret. So naturally, it’s been another day at Downton Abbey, as half of that particular formula is par for the course.

After now having been host to King George V and Queen Mary, where could the Crawley’s next big adventure lie? I asked Ms. McGovern myself, and while she didn't get into specifics, she had these exciting and insightful thoughts to provide about the future for the Crawley household:

Truly, the running thread through the entirety of Downton Abbey has been the uncertainty of the future, with society’s march forward being the only constant. One of the people who embodied that sentiment best is Allen Leech’s irrepressibly loyal Tom Branson, whose fate has also been touched by the openness that this film leaves in the wake of its ending.

Could Tom Branson Have Finally Found Love Again?

With Allen Leech’s Tom Branson and Tuppence Middleton's Lucy Smith finding themselves potentially entangled in romance, as well as a particular estate that the Crawley family may want to lay claim on, a new chapter looks to be starting in the life of the former chauffeur-turned-member of the Crawley family.

Jullian Fellowes’ tendency for open-but-satisfying endings has Tom in a particularly beautiful place, especially when you read how Leech himself interprets where Downton Abbey leaves his character. When I asked him for his own thoughts about potential sequel paths that Branson could take, his feelings were as follows:

Of course, with Lucy and Tom sharing their big torchlight dance towards the end of Downton Abbey, it looks like the pair have provided Julian Fellowes with a particularly intriguing path for future films to walk down. For the first time since Branson’s would-be romance with school teacher Sarah Bunting, it looks he may have a new love to pursue after all. Leech’s thoughts continued:

With the world that the Crawleys live and operate within slowly changing into something entirely different, new leadership is obviously going to be required. As Tom Branson and Lucy Smith represent a pair of insiders invited by fate to shake things up with the status quo, their romance could be the key to how the world of Downton Abbey progresses in an easy, but also radically different manner that will create both excitement and turmoil.

Which ultimately brings us to one last point, circling things back to director Michael Engler’s thoughts on the future of the series.

How Downton Abbey Could Continue Into The Future

In the same conversation that saw myself and Michael Engler discussing the potential for Downton Abbey sequels, the subject of where a sequel could go was also raised for discussion. Which led the film’s director to provide a quite poignant answer when it came to the future of the Crawley family saga.

As it turns out, even if the Crawleys are no longer the center of the Downton universe, Michael Engler doesn’t see a problem continuing the series with fresh blood taking the manor to new corners of history. His explanation why was pretty solid too:

Downton Abbey might have a descendant of the Crawley family in its residence for the next century, just as Mr. Carson predicted toward the end of the film. But if it doesn’t happen to shake out that way, it’s not the end of the world. Rather, the manor would go on, no matter who is in charge of its maintenance.

Though let’s face it, should Julian Fellowes decide to keep Downton Abbey going on the big screen, it’s probably a good bet that the family that’s had it throughout the length of the series would probably maintain their grasp on the family land for as long as they can, in hypothetical sequels to come. Lest the Dowager Countess’s eventual ghost haunt whomever tries to take her family’s birthright from their kind and caring hands.

Downton Abbey is in theaters now, but if you’ve already had your fill of the majesty and drama the series has brought to the big screen, you can check out what else is in store for this year with the 2019 release schedule while we wait for potential news on Downton Abbey 2.

Warning: SPOILERS for the Downton Abbey film are in play. If you haven’t seen it yet, please make arrangements to do so at haste, and return once you’re informed.

Who would have thought that writer/creator Julian Fellowes’ series Downton Abbey would not only make an incredible cinematic experience, but also a tremendously successful one as well? I’ll tell you who: the superfans, myself included, who’ve seen every episode, whether it be when the show first aired on ITV or in the world of streaming reruns on Amazon Prime. And as one of your ranks, I’d like to take the time to discuss some of the best moments of the film we’ve all been waiting for since we last saw the Crawley family at the end of Season 6.

As such, I have to warn you that there are spoilers throughout this trip down memory lane. So if you haven’t seen the movie yet, this is your last chance to turn around. Meanwhile, if you’re not only behind on the film, but haven’t seen an episode of Downton Abbey ever, then you might get a bit confused here.

If you’re still with me, let’s begin running down the scenes that made Downton fans excited for its return!

The Extremely Cinematic Opening

As far as the televised version of Downton Abbey was concerned, the opening credits were an understated joy that showed the maintenance of the Crawley household, as well as good amount of a dog’s tail wagging. However, the motion picture version needed something bigger and grander to welcome the audience back, and boy did it deliver.

Literally following the news of the royal wedding, we go from a steam train’s mail hold, to a messenger speeding towards Highclere Castle, and finally to the beautiful reveal of Downton Abbey itself. As composer John Lunn’s music swelled up to play that familiar tune, it was enough to bring some mist to fans' eyes. OK maybe just mine.

Mister Carson’s Return To Downton Abbey

Now here’s a moment that, despite being shown in the trailer, never lost its impact once it was shown on the screen. As Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) had retired from the post of valet, thanks to a newly developed case of palsy, the management of Downton Abbey’s downstairs affairs was left to Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier).

However, with the pressure of the royal visit mounting, and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) fearful that Mister Barrow won’t cut it, a visit is paid to the Carson cottage in order to recruit his services. Ever loyal, Carson assures Lady Mary he’ll be at Downton in the morning, and the warmth of that moment’s happiness is absolutely radiant. Think of it as Downton’s version of that scene in Avengers: Endgame where everyone comes back from The Snap.

Mister Molesley’s Royal Outburst

Throughout the entirety of Downton Abbey’s film incarnation, there’s a subplot that amps up the humor of the film’s story quite effectively. With the household staff leading a rebellion against their royally employed counterparts, the subterfuge and sabotage is part of how the film version of the series scaled itself up to motion picture-sized thrills.

It all culminates in Kevin Doyle’s Joseph Molesley breaking with tradition, and several other codes of behavior, to give the entire household staff the credit that is due. Revealing their entire game, Mr. Molesley not only reveals that it’s the Downton staff serving, but that Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) cooked the meal. As if spilling the beans wasn’t enough, Molesley’s realization that he’s done so is the perfect comedic button on an already laugh worthy moment.

The Dowager Countess And Mary’s Heart-To-Heart Conversation

During those years it didn’t look like a Downton Abbey movie was ever going to happen, there was one party who almost felt like they were rooting for that possibility to fail: Dame Maggie Smith. Her reasoning was centered around her character’s age, as well as the possibility that a film version would seem non-essential after a story so well told. When the time came though, Dame Maggie returned in fighting form and delivered a ton of zingers that brought Violet Crawley to life on a greater scale than ever.

Her greatest moment is one that may give Julian Fellowes an out, should Maggie Smith not want to return for another film. Disclosing to Lady Mary that she is terminally ill, and unsure how much longer she’ll live, Violet assures her granddaughter that she is not only Downton’s future, but also a representative of all her best qualities. If you’re not crying during that moment, you may want to see a doctor yourself.

Tom Branson And Lucy Smith’s Torchlight Dance

Poor Thomas Branson (Allen Leech). Over six seasons of television history, he went from a lovestruck chauffeur to a new member of the Crawley family, and sadly became a widower in the process. Downton Abbey has seen Thomas as a fantastic father to his daughter, Sybil, but besides a romance with school teacher Miss Bunting in Seasons 4 and 5, there hasn’t been a grand candidate for the man’s heart since.

Which makes the moment where Thomas and his new crush, Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) dance on a terrace by torchlight all the more beautiful. And not only is Branson possibly in love again, but with Lucy’s claim as the true heir to Downton, he might be the key to keeping the Crawley household in all of its splendor for years to come. To think, this was a shot that almost didn’t make the movie.

Daisy Finally Accepts Andy’s Love

If you were asked to name the purest being in the cast of characters on Downton Abbey, you’d have yourself in a three way tie between Mrs. Patmore, the current dog of the Crawley household, and the pure hearted Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera). Rising from scullery maid to assistant cook, she’s pulled herself up through the world by her own strong will.

Much like most characters on Downton Abbey, Daisy has had some problems in the way of love. It looked like she’d figured them out, as a romance between her and young valet Andy (Michael Fox) seemed to be brewing in the series finale. That romance saw its fair share of trouble throughout the cinematic exploits of Daisy and Andy, as a handsome plumber looked to threaten everything. By the time the movie ends though, we’re shown the moment where dear Daisy, after years of hard work and romantic setbacks, finally accepts the love of her fiancée. And all it took was his admission he was jealous enough to try and damage the hot water heater.

The Carsons Promise The World A Century Of The Crawleys At Downton

There’s one couple in the entire cast of Downton Abbey who always know what’s happened and what’s to come. So leave it to none other that Mr. Carson and his beloved wife Elsie (Phyllis Logan) to be the two that close the film out with its boldest proclamation yet. As they lock up the Grantham Estate for the night, Elsie wonders aloud about the future of the house, a fair question as the Crawley’s way of life is gradually going extinct.

Ever confident, Carson tells Elsie that he not only feels that the estate will endure, but that there will be a Crawley at Downton for the next hundred years. It’s a line that’s part sequel setup, part fan service and all warm blanket, as we should be so lucky as to see the next century of the estate play out on the silver screen.

To say that this is the full extent of beautiful moments that play out in Downton Abbey’s cinematic tour de force is to be lying. There are plenty more moments that redeem the fandom for their patience, and make the film a deliciously entertaining experience to behold. To that effect, if you didn’t head my warning at the beginning of this feature, and you’ve read through without seeing the film or the series, it’s time to make things right.

Go and stream Downton Abbey the series, and then see the major motion picture in theaters now! And if you’ve got the time, fit in a high tea session while you’re at it. You’re going to want one after seeing the adventures of the Crawleys and their staff on the big screen.

Julian Fellowes’ latest update on the Dowager Countess and co. featured a lot of different interwoven plotlines, which also means a lot of spoilers for Downton Abbey can be found in this article! If you haven’t caught the movie yet, this is certainly not the first article you should read on the topic.

Instead, perhaps you should amuse yourself with our newbie’s take on the movie if you've ever wondered how it would be for someone who never watched the TV show to pop in and watch the movie.

In the meantime, if you have actually caught Julian Fellowes’ lush and intriguing big screen take on a slew of characters we’ve grown to know and love, you probably already know that the movie accomplishes quite a lot in its two hour and three minute runtime. One of the storylines that ended on a moment of hope, however, very nearly ended up being more “tragic.”

In a new interview, Downton Abbey’s own Rob James-Collier, along with Julian Fellowes, detailed how Thomas Barrow’s new love-related plotline was originally very different. An extra scene was even put together, and while Rob James-Collier has not spilled the beans regarding what happened in the scene, it sounds like the ending for the character was very different. He said:

Here's where stuff really starts to get spoilery, if you did not heed my initial warning on the topic. He also told EW he agrees with the decision to keep the movie “focused” and “happier to a certain extent,” although I think it is worth pointing out not everyone in Downton Abbey saw a happy ending. The Dowager Countess, in particular, had a bittersweet one, when she revealed in her final conversation with Mary that she is terminally ill. What a masterful scene that was, and not exactly happy -- although I wouldn't call it sad exactly, either.

As for Thomas, during the course of the series, we saw him face downturn after downturn in both his personal and professional lives. Although he worked his way up to butler by the time Carson retired at the end of the Downton Abbey TV series, he did this despite having to hide his sexuality and having a personality that was not always well-respected by the other characters. More changed for Thomas than the character simply finding a potential partner and kindred spirit. This time around, we even saw Lord Grantham gain a little respect for Thomas when he refused to cede the lead to Carson, with Hugh Bonneville's character mentioning he didn't know Barrow had it in him.

Later, he met a person who ended up being a friend and more to him during a long night out in London, although that storyline briefly resulted in his arrest. That could have gone poorly for the longtime servant, but ultimately he was helped out of the scrape with no one the wiser and a new love interest on the horizon to boot. It was a happy ending for Thomas Barrow, and happy endings also abounded with members of both the upstairs and downstairs staff.

More importantly, Julian Fellowes felt like the sad ending for Thomas Barrow that was initially put together but later removed from the film didn’t ultimately make sense for a character who had grown and changed over the years. He also mentioned the changes, noting why the movie ultimately gave Barrow a happier ending.

Honestly, I was pretty happy with Thomas Barrow finally finding a person he could open up to and be himself with in a way that seemed to have longterm potential. If he had a downer moment and the Dowager Countess had a downer moment, you might as well have called the big screen venture Downer Abbey. (This is the only bad pun I will make, I promise.) The ending Thomas Barrow got fits in better tonally with the other plotlines that were all playing out during the course of the film.

The movie has only been out for one week, and we’ve already heard quite a bit about how the movie changed and fleshed out over time. One amazing ballroom dancing scene between Allen Leech’s Tom Branson and Tuppence Middleton’s Lucy Smith that producer’s bet big money would never make the film ultimately came together last minute. The two actors learned the heard dance and avoided pitfalls on the balcony so that they could get the shot, and it was one of the loveliest moments in the whole movie, if I do say so myself.

It's always kind of fun to hear how movies could have gone in different ways had a a different pitch or argument prevailed. I'm sure more stories will be coming out of the Downton Abbey set in the coming weeks, particularly given how much traction the movie is getting. (It even won the box office this past weekend!) Ultimately, however, it seems people are generally pretty happy with the movie they got.

This week, Downton Abbey will compete in theaters with the recently released Rambo: Last Blood and Brad Pitt's Ad Astra, not to mention newcomers Abominable and Judy. The new animated feature is actually expected to beat the period drama this coming week; then again, Downton Abbey had a higher-than-expected opening week as well. As always, we'll be sure to keep you updated regarding how the battle of the box office pans out. The best news is this movie is well on the way to its own box office happy ending.

Coming back to a series such as Downton Abbey feels like a daunting prospect, what with about three years separating the finale in 2015 and the film going into production late last year. If you ask franchise star Elizabeth McGovern what the hardest part about slipping back into the world and role of Cora Crawley was, she’d easily tell you it was finding the opportunity to be able to do so.

That’s not a logically impossible answer. Literally the hardest part of getting back into Downton Abbey was all of the work and coordination that went into putting the film together in the first place. As I spoke with her over the phone, on behalf of CinemaBlend, Elizabeth McGovern put that very sentiment into this apt description:

So while slipping back into a character like Cora was second nature for Elizabeth McGovern, it was all of the events leading up to the production that provided the greatest obstacles. Which is refreshing, as sometimes you’ll hear stories of how actors need to refamiliarize themselves with the material, spending time to get back in touch with that person they used to play.

As far as the Downton Abbey film is concerned though, it sounds like the hard work really came down to finding a reason to this story to exist. As much was recently said by writer/creator Julian Fellowes when he admitted that between searching for inspiration and trying to work with everyone’s schedules, the Downton Abbey movie wasn’t a sure prospect from the start.

Once the stars aligned, it was a breeze for everyone, even Dame Maggie Smith, to come back into the fold and bring the Crawley family into its next chapter of existence. It's a feat that McGovern credits to none other than Downton Abbey producer, Gareth Neame:

If it wasn’t for Neame’s tenacity, it sounds like we may have never had a Downton Abbey movie to look forward to. Which only makes its success at the box office that much more rewarding, as seeing Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora Crawley returning alongside the rest of her iconic family seems to have been an absolute joy for fans to behold.

Sometimes, it takes a little more effort than just getting the band back together to make a film such as this a successful moviemaking effort. However, it sounds like once the momentum was built up, and the first call of “Action” went out, Downton Abbey saw itself, its cast, and its crew, falling back into the typical rhythm, while scaling everything up into a more cinematic concext.

Focus Features and Julian Fellowes should keep this story in mind, as their current efforts in the world of this famed estate are doing well enough that a sequel is most definitely in the cards. Should they want another spin of the wheel, it might be good to set down some tent pegs now, so as to reserve the space for everyone to get back together more easily in the future.

Downton Abbey is in theaters now, awaiting audiences with a smile and impeccable service on hand. And if you’ve already sampled the joys of Elizabeth McGovern’s return to the role of Cora Crawley, you can see what other films are in store for you throughout the rest of the year. Just head over to our 2019 release schedule, and take a look at what’s in store.

Downton Abbey did a very good job of wrapping up its storylines when the show ended in 2016. So, when rumors of a movie began to circulate that same year, most of the show's fans figured it was a pipe dream. Well, we now know that the show is, indeed, coming back in the form of a theatrically released movie, and, with production set to begin soon, most of the members of the Crawley family and their servants will be seen once more. But, if you thought getting much of the original Downton Abbey cast back together for a movie was a major feat, just wait until you see who else has been added to the production! Several additional roles have been cast, and the production isn't playing around when it comes to casting actors who'll be able to add a lot to the next chapter of the story. Let's start with the lady above, Imelda Staunton.

Imelda Staunton has accepted a part in the Downton Abbey film, and while we don't know who she'll be playing or how large her part will be, it would be a shame for the film to cast someone of her acting pedigree and not use her talents to the fullest. Staunton is, possibly, best known for playing Dolores Umbridge in two of the later Harry Potter films, but she's had a long career that led her to an Oscar nomination in 2005 for her leading role in Vera Drake. Staunton has also appeared in Much Ado About Nothing, Sense and Sensibility, Tales from the Crypt, Shakespeare in Love, Nanny McPhee, Doctor Who and Paddington, among her many other credits.

Geraldine James is next up on the list of those who've been added to the Downton Abbey cast, and while she can currently be seen as Marilla Cuthbert on Netflix's Anne with and E, this Officer of the Order of the British Empire has over 100 TV and movie credits dating back to 1976. She's also been seen in Little Britain, Poirot, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Sense8's Tuppence Middleton will also be along for the Downton Abbey movie ride. Middleton has lent her talents to several well-known projects since 2008, including Bones, Inspector Lewis, Black Mirror, The Imitation Game, War & Peace and Amazon's Electric Dreams.

Stephen Campbell Moore will be seen in the new film as well, and he was most recently seen in the 1965-set miniseries The Last Post. Campbell Moore has made a name for himself in projects like The History Boys, Lark Rise to Candleford, Season of the Witch, The Wrong Mans and Goodbye Christopher Robin.

The cast of the Downton Abbey movie has also added Simon Jones (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Brideshead Revisited), David Haig (Killing Eve, Penny Dreadful) and Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders, The Crown), in addition to other new cast members to the period drama. As with Imelda Staunton, we don't know yet who any of these actors will play, how large their parts will be or (and this is very important) whether or not they will be on the Crawley's side or try to thwart them in some way, but we can't wait to find out.

So far, we only know of original cast member Lily James not returning for the film, but, apparently, that was due to the nature of the story and not any decision on her part not to bring her character, Rose, back into the fold. Series creator Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay for the movie, so you can be sure he'll find good stories for Lady Edith, Lady Mary, the Dowager Countess, Mrs. Patmore, Daisy and all the rest of the drama's massively wonderful characters.

We don't know yet when the Downton Abbey movie will be released, but stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates as they become available to us. In the meantime, be sure to check out our 2018 movie release schedule.

Julian Fellowes is trading in the lavish costumes of Downton Abbey for soccer uniforms. Yes, you read that correctly. Netflix has announced that Fellowes will be the writer behind a new series that chronicles the rise of the British version of soccer (known as football in the UK). Here is what we know about the sports series so far.

Deadline reported news of the project, which emerged out of Netflix's See What's Next event. At the event, Netflix announced a slew of new programs, and Julian Fellowes' was among those shared. The series is entitled The English Game. The show will go back in time to chronicle the modern beginnings of the popular sport. Not much else is known. The project appears to be in its relative infancy, although we know that Netflix and the production company 42 are coming together to make it happen.

What impact, if any, this will have on Julian Fellowes' upcoming NBC series The Gilded Age remains to be seen. The news that the long-awaited series would finally be produced arrived mere months ago. The early report did not indicate when production on The English Game would begin, or when the series would be released. Nor is there is any news on the characters or potential stars.

We do know The English Game will focus on how the sport transcended class divides. The topic of class division is a topic Fellowes has frequently chronicled in his other series. The Oscar-winning writer is mainly known for his costume dramas, and The English Game should score a goal in that category. Fellowes' screenwriting credits include Reese Witherspoon's vivacious Vanity Fair and the royally enjoyable 2009 biopic The Young Victoria. His most recent film was the Agatha Christie adaptation Crooked House, which is a better film than some might say.

Television has been one of Julian Fellowes' most rewarding fields. Downton Abbey premiered in 2010 and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon around the world. The series gave rise to many of its actors' higher profiles, including Dan Stevens'. During its six seasons, the series hit a few sore spots with fans before coming to a close in 2015. Fans of Fellowes' work will have to wait and see how his new series compares. In the meantime, you can watch Downton Abbey in its entirety on Amazon Prime.

Netflix has not released a premiere date for The English Sport. To find out about the other series set to arrive on Netflix, check out our guide to all of the new and returning shows set to debut on the streaming service via our 2018 Netflix premiere rundown. For more of what is coming up on TV, check out our guide to TV's midseason and summer premieres.

Downton Abbey was such a hit with critics and viewers alike that it really put primetime period dramas on the map in a brand new way. Creator/writer Julian Fellowes crafted something truly remarkable with Downton Abbey, and he's now taking his magic touch to NBC for another period drama, called The Gilded Age. This particular project has been in the works for years, and we finally have good news on the Gilded front. The show has received a series order from NBC.

The Gilded Age received an order for ten episodes right off the bat. Julian Fellowes is on board as writer and executive producer. He'll share executive producer duties with another Downton Abbey alum: Gareth Neame. No exact dates are available, but The Gilded Age will debut in 2019.

On the one hand, waiting until 2019 for a glimpse at The Gilded Age sounds kind of rough. On the other hand, given how long The Gilded Age has been in the works, we should count ourselves lucky that NBC is planning on premiering the show next year. News of Julian Fellowes working on The Gilded Age broke way back in November 2012, at which point Downton Abbey was still on the air. Now, Downton has already been off the air for a few years.

Not a whole lot of progress seemed to happen on The Gilded Age for quite a while, although Julian Fellowes did tease back in 2015 that The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey could be set in the same universe, therefore opening the door for certain Downton characters to turn up. The announcement that The Gilded Age is finally happening for 2019 didn't say anything about a shared universe, so we can't say at this point if there's any real chance of the fabulous Violet Crowley turning up.

Given the time frame for The Gilded Age, there are only so many Downton Abbey characters who could conceivably turn up without time travel coming into play. The series will bet set in the 1880s in New York City and follow young Marian Brook, who hails from a conservative family and kicks off a quest to infiltrate a wealthy neighboring family. The family will be headed up by the domineering railroad tycoon George Russell, his ambitious wife Bertha, and his dashing son Larry. Unfortunately for Bertha, she comes from "new money," which does not open many doors in the Astor and Vanderbilt social circles. Marian will enter a whole new world without even needing to venture far from her home.

The bare-bones description of The Gilded Age has some similarities to the status quo of Downton Abbey when that series first kicked off. Matthew Crawley entered a world of wealth and high society, Cora brought her fortune from across the pond rather than from an old British family, and there were plenty of dashing characters to go around. It should be interesting to see how different and how similar The Gilded Age will be to Downton Abbey when the new series premieres next year.

If you're in the market for shows to watch while we wait, be sure to take a look at our midseason TV premiere guide. If you're now in the mood to relive the highs and lows of Downton Abbey, you can find the full series streaming on Amazon Prime. Who knows? Maybe the Downton Abbey movie will actually happen sooner rather than later.

There's been talk ever since Downton Abbey wrapped up on ITV and PBS that we would be able to return to our favorite characters via a movie. A lot of people related to the show have been tentatively positive that the movie project would come to fruition, but there's certainly one curmudgeon in the lot. Dame Maggie Smith recently revealed that she is not super keen to see a Downton Abbey movie happen, for one big reason: she thinks the topic is tired at this point. Here's what she said.

Speaking at The BFI and Radio Times Festival, Maggie Smith certainly didn't mince words when she talked about her feelings regarding a Downton Abbey film. Of course, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised, as the veteran actress has in the past been open regarding her feelings about how long the series went on. At one point she mentioned she was happy about the show being over just because the math was ludicrous, joking her character was probably 110 years old by the end. Indeed, Downton Abbey did span an awfully long period of time during its run.

Maggie Smith was often on the fence regarding whether or not to return during Downton Abbey's original run on ITV. Before Season 3 and several other series, there were rumors she may not sign her contract that popped up every now and again. In many ways, Maggie Smith was less invested than much of the cast too, as she admitted she had never even watched the program. Still, in that time, Downton Abbey did experience plenty of cast upheaval, so it was rather lucky that one of the show's most interesting characters did return season after season. By the end, her character was rather old on the show, but still very much an integral member of the cast.

Still, Maggie Smith's comments don't necessarily exclude a Downton Abbey movie, as the woman who played the Dowager Countess also revealed exactly how a movie version could work, noting (via Radio Times),

Words of wisdom from the Dowager Countess, ladies and gentlemen. A funeral is a super common trope, but it would enable the show--or movie in this case--to go on without inconveniencing Maggie Smith any further. What do you think? Will a movie eventually prevail? Currently Julian Fellowes has a series over at Amazon, so we'll have to wait and see if he finds the time to do more. I'd have to say though, even if Downton Abbey did feel really finished when its story wrapped up, I am always a glutton for more.

This poll is no longer available.

Downton Abbey ended its run in the U.K. way back in 2015, although those episodes ended up airing in the States a few months later. Since the wildly popular ITV series ended, there have been rumors that Julian Fellowes and co. might be putting together a big screen follow-up starring our favorite characters. As actors including Michelle Dockery have moved on to other projects in Downton Abbey's wake, it seems as if the movie might have been put on the backburner. However, Downton Abbey actor Jeremy Swift said on Lorraine that a script has already been put written. Here's what he had to say:

Speaking on Lorraine, Jeremy Swift, who played the Dowager Countess' butler Spratt on the show, revealed there has been a script floating around somewhere and that a lot of people really do want the movie to come together. It's honestly great news to hear that people still seem to care about the film project, as this sort of movie is the type of project that could languish in developmental hell for quite some time.

Regardless, what is keeping the Downton Abbey movie from jumping into production is the same sort of thing plaguing revivals like Arrested Development or Gilmore Girls: it's all about being able to get the actors' schedules to align. Plenty of the actors on the show have gone on to other projects, as Jeremy Swift himself noted:

Michelle Dockery is probably the person we think of first when we think of Downton Abbey characters taking on new projects. She's starring in Good Behavior on TNT, which takes up some time; regardless, she has stated she would be open to coming back for a film. However, she's not the only one who is busy. Hugh Bonneville has a few movies in the works, including Paddington 2, which has also been in the works for a while. Joanne Froggatt has joined the TV series Liar. Lesley Nicol is in The Catch and Allen Leech is in Bellevue. The bigger the ensemble cast, the harder it is to bring everyone together.

The good news? It seems that people still want to make the Downton Abbey movie--at least most people, that is. I'll certainly be lining up on opening night to catch it once it does happen. In the meantime, take a look at what movies are set to hit the schedule with our release date schedule.

It's hard to believe that Downton Abbey began airing its final season on ITV nearly a year ago now. In the States, the episodes didn't air until 2016, but it has still been months since we said goodbye to the Crawley family. In many fans estimates, the story ended too soon, but now Downton Abbey creator Julianne Fellowes has explained why he ultimately decided to end the series with Season 6. Here's what he had to say in a recent interview:

There really are two schools of thought out there. The first is that TV shows should try to end on a high note and the second is that the networks should keep giving fans new episodes of popular shows for as long as they want them, even if the storylines are not quite as good. Julian Fellowes' comments to Deadline indicate that he is a man of the former school of thought, which puts him alongside the creators of shows like Seinfeld and Breaking Bad. It's also the same plan that Game of Thrones has.

Of course, it is worth noting that every show has a different shelf life. Some shows can last a decade with relatively little change in quality while other shows really only have three or four seasons of good content to produce. I think a lot of us would agree that Downton Abbey became a different show when series leads Dan Stevens and Jessica Brown Findlay left, among other characters. Still, I'd argue that Downton Abbey wrapped up each of the main character's storylines beautifully and meaningfully and ended on a high note before the show got too ridiculous with its main plot points.

We got the ending we did because that was the ending that Julian Fellowes wanted for his characters, although I also have the sneaking suspicion that he may have been motivated a little by Maggie Smith, who continually stated her character was getting too old to still be alive in Downton's timeline. I, for one, am not one to begrudge a TV series any later seasons, but I'm happy for Fellowes and Co. that the drama played out in the way they wanted the story to play out. Having creative freedom on a TV series is a great gift.

To see what you can replace in the hole left in your viewing schedule by the PBS drama, you can check out our fall TV premiere schedule.

Downton Abbey just finished out its run a short while ago (longer if you live in the UK), and the storyline wrapped up in a way that was fitting for the majority of the characters on the long-running drama. However, earlier in the show’s run, showrunner Julian Fellowes apparently had a lot of ideas that didn’t end up panning out in the way he expected when he was first writing the series. In a recent interview, Allen Leech revealed that Matthew Crawley was initially expected to marry a very different member of the Crawley family: Lady Sybil. Here’s what he had to say:

Well, that’s a huge bombshell. Downton Abbey’s earlier seasons heavily focused on a romance between Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley. They ended up marrying, which saved the estate and made for one epic wedding on the small screen. Lady Sybil, on the other hand, ended up falling for Allen Leech’s character, Tom Branson, causing a major scandal. That’s because Tom was actually the chauffeur for the family before he swooped in and asked for Sybil’s hand in marriage. It all worked out, and Tom was later able to take a big role in the workings of the estate, but not until some major drama happened and Lady Sybil died on the series (as did Matthew Crawley, but that's another story). 

If you watched the episodes that actually made it to the small screen, the idea of Matthew and Sybil being a romantic fit sounds outlandish. Mary and Matthew had a romance for the ages, and there was something daring about Sybil running away from home to start a new life with Tom Branson. Downton Abbey's main theme across multiple seasons is that the times are a'changing, and both the outcomes of Lady Mary running Downton and Lady Sybil marrying a lower class man for love make that change extremely apparent. 

Allen Leech also mentioned at the Deadline Contender Emmy panel that Julian Fellowes made a lot of changes to the script in the early days of Downton Abbey. At one point, Tom Branson was only signed on for three episodes of the series, and he later became a lead on the show. The narrative changed as the actors learned to play off of one another. It's no wonder that the show's bible also changed because of it. 

Still, now it's going to be really difficult to burn the image of Matthew Crawley hitting on Lady Sybil--perhaps when she was even wearing those weird harem pants--out of my brain. 

Downton Abbey may be over, but here's what TV--and PBS--has coming up. 

By now, most people have already heard that Downton Abbey will be ending after Season 6. The ending of one period drama leaves showrunner Julian Fellowes open to create another period drama, and NBC already has dibs. The Gilded Age has been in the works for quite some time at NBC, but now we’ve learned that the show might exist in the same universe as Downton Abbey.

Speaking out about The Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes recently revealed that while the NBC project will be set in New York, it may feature some of the characters we’ve come to know and love on Downton Abbey, although they will be much younger during the period the new show is set. Fellowes revealed to The Daily Mail that he is especially excited to explore the idea of a younger Violet Crawley on the series.

To determine how this will work, first you need to know a little bit about NBC’s The Gilded Age. The period drama will be set in the United States in the late 19th century and will follow a slew of American titans, including Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller and John Jacob Astor. So, it’ll be a little bit like The Men Who Built America, but with a lot of added society drama. This is exactly how the Downton Abbey cast members could fit in. Since Cora is American-born, it stands to reason that the Crawleys traveled across the vast ocean to meet some Americans at some point, and why not let it happen in a way that can bring some familiar characters into the brand new drama?

The Gilded Age has been in the works for quite some time. NBC first began developing the drama back in 2012; however, Downton Abbey takes a long time to film each season, and the network project never got on the ground. Julian Fellowes is still a hot name in the industry right now, and reports indicate that once Downton Abbey finishes shooting Season 6, The Gilded Age will move forward. That doesn’t mean it will 100% go to series, of course, but things are looking pretty good, and adding a young Violet Crawley only ups the interest in the potential drama.

If there was any way to bring Maggie Smith back for The Gilded Age, I’d be even more interested. Regardless, we can’t have everything, and Smith seems pretty excited to be quitting the ITV and PBS period drama, anyway.

Downton Abbey is coming to an end after Season 6, so it seems fitting that PBS would already be hard at work, looking to line up its next Masterpiece drama. Now, we have learned that the network is currently in talks with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes regarding another potential drama. So, fans of the above-mentioned series at least have something new for which to hold out hope.

While it is confirmed Fellowes has been in talks with PBS about another Masterpiece drama, there is not much information beyond that to go on. According to Deadline, Masterpiece chief Rebecca Eaton, who confirmed Downton Abbey will be concluding after Season 6, corroborated the network's discussions with the Downton Abbey creator but did not share further details on the potential future drama. PBS chief Paula Kerger made sure to note, however, that the discussions with Fellowes are not panic-related, as one might think due to PBS's top-rated program Downton Abbey coming to a close.

It was only days ago we learned PBS and ITV will not be renewing the cast's contracts for Downton Abbey; thus, the show will be ending after Season 6. With contracts coming to an end and the bulk of the main cast looking to depart the show, it would have been impractical to carry on with the series for another season. We knew something had to be up after Maggie Smith's mention last month that it would be her final season with the series. There have already been several actors and actresses who have exited the show, including Siobhan Finneran, Jessica Brown Findlay and Dan Stevens, but Smith's Dowager Countess, one of the Downton's long-running staple characters, would mark a pretty big loss for the series. But seeing the Crawley family's legacy come to an end isn't all sad; the show has achieved quite a bit over the years, not to mention landing several guest stars and a collaboration with none other than the handsome George Clooney.

So what could be in store for Fellowes as far as future projects with PBS? When asked about a possible Downton Abbey spinoff, Masterpiece's Eaton admitted “there have always been conversations” regarding a new show's potential, due to the nature of the business. The increased popularity of Downton Abbey brought back a renewed interest in period dramas on PBS, resulting in a strong pipeline of programming for the network, so we wouldn't be surprised to see another collaboration with Fellowes on that front.

It should be noted that Fellowes has received interest outside of PBS in the past. Approximately two years ago the writer/producer was reportedly in talks with NBC to develop an epic period piece set in the late 1800s. The project, titled The Gilded Age, aimed to tell the story of a princess of the American Renaissance who, in 19th-century New York, acquired and spent a mass of great wealth. It's been stuck in development ever since. A dramatic period piece featuring ultra-wealthy characters? I think this sounds right up Fellowes and his devout fans' respective alleys.

British historical drama, Downton Abbey will soon be closing its proverbial palatial doors after its upcoming sixth season finishes its run. The gentry-centric show, which began in 2010 airing on ITV in the United Kingdom, found itself an unlikely audience across the pond when the show subsequently began airing in America on PBS. Now, after launching the film careers of several cast members and having addicted audiences around the world in 250 territories, the show’s creative forces have hinted at a chance that there may be a feature-length film in the franchise’s future.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gareth Neame, the executive producer and managing director of the production company behind Downton Abbey, Carnival Films, fielded some critical questions regarding the further plans for the property centered on the aristocratic Crawley family. When asked about the possibility of a film, Neame reveals that both he and creator, Julian Fellowes could be open to such a concept. He said,

When further pressed to describe possibilities for the still-hypothetical film’s storyline, Neame jokingly explained,

With mainstream attention towards the show continuing to build, one would think that a spinoff television show would be the logical follow-up strategy. However, Neame’s interview answers regarding that subject were not quite as optimistic as the movie news, saying that "no plans" were in place. Yet, it certainly does appear that the story of Downton Abbey will not quite fade away as the ever-approaching final episode of the series’ final season will fade to black. In fact, the Downton phenomena seems to just be gaining the kind of momentum that justifies expansion of the property. In some ways, Downton Abbey would be ending without the property having really experienced its true mainstream coming out party and there was reportedly heavy pressure by PBS put on ITV to keep the show going.

However, as Neame would explain, the show has been on for quite a while and it has essentially been a successful vehicle for its remaining stars and a launching pad for certain alumni cast members like Cinderella star Lily James, future Beauty and the Beast star Dan Stevens, and Jessica Brown Findlay. Yet, it is that very revolving door-like nature which hinders the show’s longevity, since it is essentially about a family and the task of coming up with explanations for more exits would start to get a little wacky. There are only so many deaths, divorces or alien abductions that can feasibly get a family member out of the mansion. (Although I’m relatively sure Downton has yet to try that last one.)

While no plans have been set for the Downton Abbey movie, you can anticipate the arrival of Season 6. No dates have been announced as of yet, though, fall 2015 seems a safe bet.

If, for some reason, you are not caught up on Downton Abbey, there are spoilers and spoilers moving forward.

It’s been months and months since Dan Stevens’ character, Matthew Crawley, bit the dust during Downton Abbey’s Christmas special episode. A few months later, American audiences were privy to the character’s demise. Crawley’s death within the series was untimely, especially during a season already marked by the death of a prominent character. Many fans were not particularly happy about the outcome, and Stevens has finally spoken out about his character's death.

The actor recently told Radio Times that the decision to kill off his character was not his doing.

While I would argue Stevens’ decision to leave the show and move on to other projects does make him at least partially responsible for where Crawley ended as a character, it seems the actor would rather blame Julian Fellowes for where Crawley landed after crashing his car. Indeed, Stevens had nothing to do with the writing of the final Season 3 episode, and at least he was good enough to admit that it was better to kill off the character than for Mary and Matthew to end their love affair.

While Fellowes has been pretty open about why the character was killed off, it’s nice to hear Stevens finally have something to say about his beloved character. No doubt the decision was an alright one for the actor, who is already expected to appear in numerous projects, including February in Summer, but that doesn't make his decision any less bittersweet.

Downton Abbey is expected to return to the schedule in the U.S. in early 2014.

Last night Americans across the country cried out in anguish as their adored Downton Abbey unfolded its season three finale. And as this will be a discussion of the finale's final moments MAJOR SPOILERS lie ahead.

It had already been a hard year for the Crawley family. Their beloved Downton Abbey was threatened because of the Earl's bad business investments. Then there was Branson and his criminal activities threatening the life of Lady Sybil, followed by her traumatizing death in childbirth. But finally, FINALLY, things were looking up for the Crawleys. Matthew and Branson had convinced the Earl about a daring new way to save the estate, Baby Sybil would be raised in her mother's old home, and Mary and Matthew at long last had a baby of their own. Then, Matthew died in a horrific car accident. Curtain.

In the UK the episode aired at Christmastime, and so here in the States, we're just catching up with this terrible fate for one of the show's most loved characters. (Unless, of course you were illegally sourcing episodes online…) Which means we already know why Matthew had to die. And the answer is so simple it sucks: Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew, no longer wanted to work on Downton Abbey.

The Telegraph spoke with Julian Fellowes, and the show's creator put it plainly:

Of course, he's right. It wouldn't have made any sense to send Matthew away from Mary for an entire season, which could be up to a year in the show's storyline. It would hurt the integrity of the show, even more than that burn victim "cousin." So, for all you putting the blame on Downton's writers, know that it should really be placed on Stevens, since he chose not to renew his contract.

So what’s next for the newly widowed mother, Mary? A spokeswoman for the show offers, "In the next series, alongside all the usual drama, comedy and romance involving the much loved cast of characters, viewers will see Mary adjusting to her life and attempting to move on without the man she loved."

Production on Downton Abbey season four begins this month.

With television in the States, if a show is popular enough, in many cases, although not always, the TV studios can renegotiate and spend more money on its leads in order to keep them around if a TV program really needs those characters. Apparently, the same is not true of a lot of UK television, at least as Julian Fellowes would put it. Read on to hear more from the prolific television creator, writer, and producer about Downton Abbey and the untimely departure of Matthew Crawley. Stop reading now if you aren’t caught up on the hit period drama. There will be spoilers, and don’t say we didn’t warn you.

During Downton Abbey’s brilliant Christmas episode, the show took a major twist around the time the lovely lady Mary was expecting her baby. The actor playing her husband, Dan Stevens, had chosen to leave the show and so the writers killed him off in a car crash during the episode. Fellowes recently told The Telegraph he believes killing off Matthew was the only plausible solution.

Stevens has said the decision was difficult for him, but that he ultimately felt now was the time to move away from the Downton Abbey universe and pursue other projects. Due to the importance of Matthew and Mary’s relationship, Fellowes says the show didn’t really have any option for the character other than to kill him off.

Unfortunately, the cookie did not crumble in a way that was satisfying for the writers or for fans of the show. Here’s hoping the decision Stevens has made to leave the show does open other doors for him in the acting realm. Otherwise, his premature demise in the series was quite the waste.

Downton Abbey’s Season 3 begins airing in the States on January 6, 2013.

We’ve known for a while that Downton Abbey’s third season would likely feature a blissful wedding between the story’s main lovebirds, Matthew Crawley and Mary Crawley (If that relationship sounds creepy, don’t worry, they sort-of distant relatives!), who proposed at the end of Season 2. Season 3 of PBS’ hit period drama is set to premiere on January 6, but for those who can’t wait to see what Season 3 will behold, or just want to check out the fashion, we now have some new photos to share with fans.

EW first got their hands on the photos, which are mostly wedding focused. Mary looks, well, very Victorian in a delicate dress with lace trim. She has also chosen lilies as her bouquet of choice. Maybe it’s me, but those have always looked pretty awkward when carried in a bouquet, likely due to the thick stems. Regardless, the wedding looks like it will be held in Downton, likely in the drawing room that once held soldiers and those injured in WWI. As usual, the ‘downstairs’ staff have gone to the trouble of putting some lively decorations up.

The one thing that troubles me a little about the photo is that Mary doesn’t seem radiant with joy. She’s never been much of a smiler, and serious poses were popular in the period Downton Abbey is set, but hopefully the image is just Mary's face and not an omen of things to come, although the creator of the production, Julian Fellowes, might very well have the answer for us.

Despite the wedding getup, there may be trouble on the horizon. EW is also noting that Fellowes has not been explicit about the whole endeavor, stating the wedding “isn’t necessarily happening.” Still, as the photo above shows, the potential grand event will bring Branson, a fan favorite, back to the series, so we shouldn’t be complaining, yet. We’ll also have to wait and see if Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess can check her tongue while Branson’s around, although I’m not holding my breath.

Downton Abbey’s third season will kick off as part of PBS’ Masterpiece on January 6, 2013.

View the rest of the photos at EW.

Barbra Streisand's adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ Tony Award-winning musical Gypsy may be back on track, as a report from THR reveals Universal has hired Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes to pen the screenplay. Fellowes' captivating class-conflict TV series has won record-breaking acclaim for PBS, and thrown the spotlight on Fellowes in a major way. So, it's likely Gypsy producers Streisand and Joel Silver (yes, that Joel Silver) paid a pretty penny for Fellowes' coveted services. And rightly so, because all the buzz Fellowes brings to the project may help detract from its troubled beginnings.

Last year there was a dust-up over whether or not Sondheim and Laurents would sign off on another movie version of Gypsy, which famously tells the tale of burlesque superstar Gypsy Rose Lee and her horrifying stage mother, Momma Rose. At the time, it was rumored that Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper was considering directing the musical memoir, but by the time the project shifted from Warner Bros. to Universal and Sondheim and Laurents had given their blessing, Hooper had flown the coop. At this time, no director is attached to Gypsy, which appears to be intended to usher in Streisand's latest comeback.

Aside from her appearances in the woefully insipid Fockers flicks, the two-time Academy Award-winner has been largely absent from film for the last decade. Now, there's absolutely no word in THR's piece that suggests she's looking to star, but it's inconceivable to me that Babs would bring another Gypsy to audiences without sinking her teeth into the meaty role of Momma Rose, especially when it comes to "Rose's Turn." It's such a brassy song, born to be belted by a serious singer with a voice like buttah! I just can't fathom Streisand casting someone else to tackle this classic while she still has air in her lungs.

In case you're unfamiliar, here's diva Bette Midler unleashing her version in the 1993 Gypsy TV movie:

It’s weird to say this out loud, but one of my first actual memories is being about six and scared shitless while watching the 1945 Rene Clair version of And Then There Were None. I was under the mistaken impression that Barry Fitzgerald was actually Tom Bosley, who I couldn’t get enough of on reruns of Murder, She Wrote and Happy Days. Most kids from my generation went through Power Rangers phases or GI Joe obsessions. I couldn’t get enough of Agatha Christie. By the time I was twelve, I’d read nearly all of her books, rented all of the Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple television adaptations and owned a double VHS copy of the incredibly awesome Murder On The Orient Express. Needless to say, I’m pretty stoked we’re about to get another film adaptation of the author’s work.

According to The Independent, Julian Fellowes, perhaps best known for his Gosford Park script, is adapting the novel Crooked House. The story, in Christie’s opinion the second best she ever wrote, follows a fiancé who’s told the marriage can’t go forward until the murderer of his future wife’s grandfather is apprehended. The tale is absent the author’s usual sleuths, Poirot and Marple, but the stuffy English mansion is right in her wheelhouse.

Death At A Funeral director Neil LaBute will helm the project set to begin filming in the UK later this year. To say I’m extremely optimistic would be an understatement. Here’s to hoping the adaptation performs better than expected, paving the way for plenty more of the same.