Summary
- Downton Abbey
revival filming in secret sparks excitement for fans globally. Release expected by year end. - Cast and crew under strict non-disclosure agreements. Secrecy shrouds production for the highly anticipated return.
- Creator Julian Fellowes open to reviving the beloved series. Fans eager for new adventures of Crawley family.
The acclaimed period drama Downton Abbey is reportedly on the brink of an unexpected comeback. A few weeks ago, filming for a revival series reportedly commenced in secret, as per The Daily Mail, with expectations of a release by the end of this year.
The early 20th century lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff were captivatingly portrayed in the original Downton Abbey series, which concluded in 2015, winning the hearts of audiences globally. Its return is highly anticipated, especially given the recent surge in popularity of period pieces across various platforms, from high-end streamers to public television.
The production is surrounded by secrecy, as sources involved have shared, with cast and crew obligated to sign non-disclosure agreements to keep the project’s details under wraps. One insider revealed:
“Filming has been going on for a few weeks now, it is all very, very secret. There are people working on it who have never seen secrecy like it. Those working on the set have been made to sign non-disclosure agreements so that they don’t give the game away but there is a lot of excitement at the return of Downton.”
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The possibility of a Downton Abbey revival has been a topic of speculation for some time. Julian Fellowes, the mind behind the show, has been open to the concept of a revival, even though he has parted ways with the series several times. In a 2023 interview with The Sun’s TalkRadio, Fellowes remarked:
“I have said goodbye to Downton so many times, and I have written the last scene about six or seven times. Now I’ve got out of the habit of making permanent statements whether it’s gone,” the creator allowed. “It just gives me a lot of pleasure that so many people enjoyed it, so to feel that you created a show that cheers people up and they had a good time with it, I love that.”
Downton Abbey’s Return Sparks Excitement Among Fans and Cast
The affection for Downton Abbey extends beyond its fanbase to the cast members themselves. Reflecting on her time on the series, Elizabeth McGovern, who portrayed Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, has expressed warm sentiments. During her conversation with RogerEbert.com, she pondered the important insights she acquired from the intense filming schedule and the chance to work alongside a diverse group of actors and directors. McGovern said:
“I cut my teeth in my early days doing feature films, and there’s just so much more time on a feature film, especially actors that do very well, they are so indulged. But when you do a series like ‘Downton’ nobody is indulged. You have to just get on with it. And it’s actually I think, quite healthy. So, that’s been good for me in terms of my relationship with my craft. If I can be so pretentious to use that word.”
The possibility of Downton Abbey‘s return has fans excited to see what new narratives and developments the beloved characters will encounter. While details remain scarce, the prospect of revisiting the grandeur and drama of the Crawley family’s world is an exciting prospect for many. As always, the success of such a revival will depend on the ability to recapture the magic that made the original series so memorable.
