Downton Abbey is returning to the screen – but this time it will be shown in cinemas across the country. The feature length film will follow the upstairs and downstairs crews as they prepare for a royal visit. And many of the cast have revealed what it was like filming Downton Abbey as a movie rather than the usual episodes.
Julian Fellowes, who wrote Downton Abbey, has revealed the whole story took “a bit of plaiting” due to the need to resolve every storyline for each character over just a couple of hours.
Bearing in mind he would usually have an hour a week to work with, this is no mean feat.
For Jim Carter, who plays butler Carson, the film is all about “the magic” of Downton Abbey.
He told The Mirror: “It’s about romance, it’s about people falling in love and wishing people would fall in love.’
“It’s not a real view of the past, it’s a romanticised view of heritage England, with beautiful castles and beautiful dresses, presented immaculately.
Jim Carter as Carson in Downton Abbey (Image: Universal)
The cast of Downton Abbey during the royal visit (Image: Universal)
“It isn’t cynical, it doesn’t contain men with guns, it’s not lots of flashing images and cars and special effects.
“It’s just simple stories about people trying to get on and I think that’s what people like about it.”
For Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, filming the movie was a truly emotional experience, having left the character in 2015 when the series ended.
She said: “My first costume fitting for the film was emotional.
“I didn’t expect to feel the way I did. It’s literally like stepping back into her shoes – the costumes are incredible.”
The size of the film really is something to behold, with Michelle stating that one big parade scene had the cast, plus 20 footmen, 250 extra and 80 horses on the bill.
This was, of course, all part of Julian’s plan, as he said: “The royal couple provide us with the excuse to fill the screen with pomp and pageantry.”
He even admitted they had to build stables and a camp for the troopers and horses to stay in.
For Geraldine Jones and Imelda Staunton, they were joining the cast as newbies, and Geraldine said it had a huge amount of meaning to her.
Mrs Patmore, Mrs Hughes and Barrow in Downton Abbey (Image: Universal)
She said: “The first day at Highclere Castle I felt a sort of childish thrill coming up the road, through the park, and then suddenly seeing these hallowed towers and thinking – it’s Downton Abbey.
“It was just as thrilling for me as it is for anybody who sees it.”
She also revealed her dress had a certain amount of “padding” in it, joking she would have happily stolen the “fake bosom” after filming was done.
For Imelda, the film had an extra meaning to her as she was able to join her real-life husband on set, and work with her good friends Penelope Wilton and Maggie Smith.
The cast of Downton Abbey over breakfast (Image: Universal)
She said: “Below stairs and above stairs, people look at another world and yet recognise similarities in their own life or perhaps their own disappointments, personal problems, emotional problems, births, deaths, marriages.
“Downton touches on all those things, which makes it so relatable even though it isn’t set now – they are still modern issues.”
Everyone’s excitement in the cast is certainly mirrored in fans, many of whom will be desperate to see what has happened to Downton Abbey, two years from when the series ended.
Downton Abbey is in cinemas on September 13