The long-rumoured Downton Abbey movie is officially a go, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures announcing the start of production on the film, which will reunite the original cast from the TV series along with creator Julian Fellowes.
Brian Percival (The Book Thief, About a Girl), who directed the series’ pilot, will direct the film, which has been written by Fellowes.
“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,” said producer Gareth Neame. “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.”
“Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter,” added 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.”
The television series Downton Abbey followed the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who worked for them at the turn of the 20th century in an Edwardian English country home. It garnered 3 Golden Globe Awards, 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, a Special BAFTA award and 69 Emmy nominations in total across its six series.
