We’re finally getting that “Downton Abbey” movie that fans have long wanted.
The original principal cast is set to return for the upcoming feature-length production, Focus Features said on Friday. The movie will begin production later this summer.
TV series creator Julian Fellowes penned the film’s script and will executive produce the movie alongside Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge and Nigel Marchant. Brian Percival, who directed the British upstairs/downstairs show’s pilot, will direct the film.
“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,” Neame said in a media release. “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,” Focus chairman Peter Kujawski said. “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 “Downton Abbey” movie is a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing. We do not yet know much about the film’s plot, other than that it will again center on the Crawley family and their impressive estate.