Downton Abbey

Source: ITV

Focus Features has set the North American theatrical release of the Downton Abbey feature for September 20, 2019, one week after the launch through Universal Pictures International.

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

Fellowes, who created Downton Abbey and wrote the film’s screenplay, will produce alongside Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. Michael Engler returns to direct. Brian Percival, who directed the series pilot, will serve as executive producer alongside Nigel Marchant. Carnival Films produces.

The feature will star the original principal cast from the award-winning TV show, including Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Penelope Wilton, and Maggie Smith, as well as new cast members Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, David Haig, Tuppence Middleton, Kate Phillips and Stephen Campbell Moore. 

The TV 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 house.

Over the course of six seasons, the series garnered three Golden Globe Awards, 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, and 69 Emmy nominations in total, making Downton Abbey the most nominated non-US TV show in the history of the Emmys. It also garnered a Special BAFTA award and a Guinness World Record for the highest critically rated TV show along the way.