Downton Abbey Cast to Reunite for Feature Film

The original principal cast from Downton Abbey will reunite for a feature film from Focus Features and Carnival Films, penned by series creator Julian Fellowes.

Production on the movie begins later this summer. Fellowes will produce alongside Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. Brian Percival (The Book Thief, About a Girl), who directed the series’ 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, Carnival’s executive chairman, said. “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.”

Over six seasons on ITV (with PBS Masterpiece as the U.S. partner), Downton Abbey landed three Golden Globe Awards and 15 Primetime Emmys.

“Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter,” commented Focus’s 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.”