Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes Set for International Emmy Founders Award

NEW YORK: The 2015 International Emmy Founders Award will be presented by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to Julian Fellowes, the writer and creator of Downton Abbey.

Fellowes will accept the award at the 43rd International Emmy Awards Gala, taking place on Monday, November 23, 2015, in New York City.

An Oscar-winning screenwriter, Fellowes began his career as an actor. He grew up in England, attended Cambridge University and then drama school, and worked on stage with several repertory companies. He has appeared in over 40 films and TV shows, while at the same time writing screenplays for such movies as Vanity Fair, Separate Lies and Gosford Park, for which he took home an Oscar. He is also responsible for writing the international bestseller Snobs.

“People everywhere know, follow and are passionate about Downton Abbey, and the Academy is thrilled to honor its writer and creator Julian Fellowes,” said Bruce L. Paisner, the president and CEO of the Academy. “Julian has brought a career’s worth of experience and ideas to this landmark television series and we look forwarding to welcoming him and members of the Downton Abbey cast at our Gala.”

Fellowes commented: “This is an extraordinary honor, both for me and for the Downton team and I can only say that I feel simultaneously unworthy and very, very grateful. It is a significant high point of my career. Thank you."