Focus Features Officially Announces Downton Abbey Movie

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski has officially announced the long-anticipated return of Downton Abbey in a feature film. Kujawski announced the Fox and Carnival Films have set production on the film for later this summer. The original principal cast from the critically-acclaimed television series wsill return for the feature alongside creator Julian Fellowes. Fellowes wrote the film’s screenplay and will produce alongside Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. Brian Percival, who directed the pilot for the show, will direct the film. Nigel Marchant will also be back to executive produce.

The series 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 ran for six seasons and was an awards powerhouse with three Golden Globe Awards, fifteen Primetime Emmy Awards, a Special BAFTA award and a total of sixty-nine Emmy nominations in total.

Gareth Neame said in a statement, “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. 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 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.”