Downton Abbey was hugely loved by fans, until it was brutally ripped from our TV screens. The team behind the show were quick to swoop in and save the day by providing fans with a feature-length cinematic visit to the Granthams. Now, a second movie is in the works – but when will it be out?
Almost since the first film’s arrival on the big screen, fans have been discussing the potential of a sequel.
In fact, even back in January 2020 the show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, admitted he had started work on a second movie, though fans were still not convinced this was confirmation enough.
Now, a voice of reason has weighed in and confirmed there is a second movie afoot, even to the extent the cast have seen scripts for another film.
Jim Carter, who played Carson, the beloved butler at Downton Abbey, told This Morning’s Holly Willoughby: “If you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll let you know that we’ve seen a script…
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“The script for a second film is there. We’ve seen it, it’s very funny!
“It’s got all the same characters in, all the regular characters, and I think the will is – COVID willing – we’ll film it next year.
“I don’t know if I can trust Phillip to keep this secret, but Holly, I know I can trust you!”
Phillip Schofield, who Jim jokingly did not trust to keep the secret, asked whether Dame Maggie Smith’s dowager would return to the film, but Jim refused to reveal any plot lines to the pair.
The series first aired in September 2010, making this month its 10 year anniversary.
On this, Jim said: “It was pitched as a period drama written by Julian Fellowes and of course I loved Gosford Park and I think it was pitched to ITV as ‘Gosford Park on the television.’
“The big selling point in a way was Julian Fellowes but also Maggie Smith, who I knew was involved.
“I had to go in and audition like everybody else. I would have been cross if I hadn’t got the part!”
DON’T MISS
Sadly, while Jim has suggested the film will be shot next year if COVID-19 restrictions can be worked around, this does not shed any light on its release date.
We can, based on the previous film’s timelines, work out an idea of when the film might come out into the world.
The first film began filming at the end of August in 2018 and wrapped in November 2018.
The movie then came to cinemas on September 13, 2019, meaning it was just less than a year for the film to go from filming to its on-screen debut.
As a result, fans can expect, if the film is made any time in 2021, it will likely be released a year later, hopefully meaning the film will arrive on a screen near you in 2022.
At present, few films have been making the money back which has been invested thanks to far smaller numbers of film-goers heading to cinemas.
Cinemas were closed for some time, which impacted, but as well as this many film fans have opted not to head to the cinema, which has caused some fans to fear the days of going to the pictures with friends could be gone for good.
However, if Downton Abbey 2 does arrive in cinemas, hopefully, fans will choose to head out to watch it, giving cinemas a well-needed boost.