Filming is just about to kick off on the much-anticipated Downton Abbey movie. Focus Features and Carnival Films confirmed production’s about to start and revealed the list of actors who’ll be joining the returning principal cast members for the feature film.
New cast members include Academy-Award nominee (Vera Drake, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Pride), Geraldine James (Anne with an E, Beast), Simon Jones (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Brideshead Revisited), David Haig (Killing Eve, Penny Dreadful), Tuppence Middleton (War and Peace, The Imitation Game), Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders, The Crown), and Stephen Campbell Moore (History Boys, Lark Rise to Candleford).
Oscar winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) created the series and penned the movie’s screenplay. Fellowes is producing with Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. Brian Percival (The Book Thief, About a Girl) continues his association with Downton Abbey as executive producer. (Percival directed the show’s pilot.) Nigel Marchant is also on board as an executive producer. Michael Engler (30 Rock, Sex and the City) directed four episodes of the series and will direct the feature film.
“We are excited that photography is about to start on the long awaited film and that the beloved main characters will be joined by such exceptional actors playing new roles unique to the movie,” said producer Gareth Neame, Carnival’s Executive Chairman.
Downton Abbey is a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing.
Downtown Abbey earned 69 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning 15 times during its six season run. It holds the record as the most nominated non-US television series in Emmy history. Over its six seasons the series also picked up three Golden Globe awards and a special BAFTA award. In addition, Downton Abbey the series holds the Guinness World Record as the “highest critically rated TV show.”
