Dowagers and domestics, lords and ladies – the Crawley family saga continues! We heard the announcement a month ago that a new film was coming. But we now have proof. Cameras will be rolling once again at Highclere Castle as production has begun on the next must-see Downton Abbey movie.
Fans have been breathlessly awaiting any morsel of news about which of their beloved characters will grace the screen in this new cinematic installment. How will the Crawley family continue without the Dowager? How much time will have passed since the last movie? Will Sybil, George and Marigold be teenagers? Will Mary’s marriage survive? Will the unflappable Mr. Carson still be around to offer his unparalleled wisdom on how to properly staff and run a household of Downton’s esteem? And most importantly, what amazing food with be coming out of Mrs. Patmore’s kitchen?
The Downton universe has continually expanded over the show’s incredible run, with wedding bells ringing for unexpecting couples and new generations being ushered into the world – all while the seemingly constant upheaval of early 20th-century life reshapes aristocratic English society as we know it. But one constant always remains – the stately, jaw-droppingly gorgeous Highclere Castle stands ready once more to provide the sumptuous and undeniably opulent backdrop for all the upstairs-downstairs drama to unfold against.
Lady Carnarvon, the actual royal hostess of Highclere, has already welcomed the Downton film crew back to the storied estate grounds. The unmistakable signs of production are everywhere to be seen, from the thick black cables snaking through open castle windows to the motor vans unloading stacks of equipment. Massive tents providing mobile catering and craft services are fully erected, already doing a booming business as the Castle’s loyal family of dog companions happily loiter underfoot, surely awaiting their own savoured scraps from the crew’s hearty meals.
Preparations are underway to once again transform Highclere’s interior rooms into glistening Downton Abbey sets fit for a lord or lady. Surfaces are being diligently covered, furnishings carefully relocated, all to make way for the film’s production lights, cameras, and monitors to perfectly capture every anticipated scene. Producers, directors, and showrunners are keeping all plot details locked firmly under wraps…for now. But one thing is already certain – Downton’s legions of passionate fans are eagerly awaiting the next sumptuous installment of the series they’ve embraced so fully into their hearts.
You can read Lady Carnarvon’s blog here.
Who will be in the Film?
Along with Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, and Michelle Dockery, the returning cast includes Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera and Douglas Reith.
In addition, Paul Giamatti, is reprising his role as Cora Grantham’s brother, Harold Levinson. Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale, and Arty Froushan are among the film franchise newcomers. Elsewhere, Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter from Downton Abbey: A New Era.
Focus Features and Carnival Films are thrilled to announce the third film in the beloved Downton Abbey franchise. More information: https://t.co/nupZ9LkeXd pic.twitter.com/cRFH4SpOsb
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) May 13, 2024
