Focus Features has fantastic news for fans of the critically acclaimed, award-winning series Downton Abbey. A feature film is in the works that will reunite the original principal cast with the show’s Oscar winning series creator, Julian Fellowes.
Fellowes wrote the screenplay and Brian Percival (The Book Thief), director of the original series’ pilot, will direct the feature film. Nigel Marchant is confirmed to executive produce.
“When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production. Julian’s script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival’s hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen,” stated Gareth Neame, Carnival’s Executive Chairman and the film’s producer.
“Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter,” said Focus chairman Peter Kujawski. “We’re thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen.”
Filming is expected to get underway this summer. The movie’s a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing.
Downton Abbey starred Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham; Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Craley, Countess of Grantham; Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham; Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley; Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley; Jim Carter as Charles Carson; Brendan Coyle as John Bates; Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates; Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow; and Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes.
Downtown Abbey earned 69 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning 15 times during its six season run. It currently holds the record as the most nominated non-US television series in Emmy history.
