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Will There Be a 'Downton Abbey' Movie?

Daniel Hautzinger
Downton Abbey. Photo: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2015 for MASTERPIECE
Photo: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2015 for MASTERPIECE

Ever since the finale of the beloved Downton Abbey in 2015 (2016 in the US), rumors have flown about a possible movie. Recently, those rumors have been both supported and doused. 

The freshest news came from Jeremy Swift, who played Spratt. A PR representative for him revealed in April that he had been asked to "keep the end of this year free as the Downton movie will begin filming," while Swift himself has said he has seen a script but that it "disappeared."

Such news has sort of been corroborated by Allen Leech (Tom Branson) and Leslie Nicol (Mrs. Patmore). At an April 10 event, Leech said “The last I heard, there were possible negotiations with [show creator] Julian [Fellowes],” while Nicol said she heard from Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes) that Fellowes "was possibly writing a script." 

And in January, a production source claimed that "the financing ducks are being lined up very nicely," while Fellowes himself has indicated interest in a script but noted the difficulty of getting the entire cast together: "I'd love to do a movie," he said in early 2016. "The percentage chance is about 64.5."

Keeping with the percentages, Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates) said "I am 98% sure it will happen," but Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley) said she has heard nothing. 

Unfortunately, Maggie Smith seemed to undermine the rumors in April, when she said “They talk about there being a film but who knows. I hope you might tell me if you do know. I just think it’s squeezing it dry, do you know what I mean? I don’t know what it could possibly be. It’s too meandering.” She did joke that it could start with the dowager countess's funeral, so maybe the film could go on without her. 

So, basically, no one knows what will happen. The movie may start filming this year, there may be a script, the entire cast may be up for it, or nothing at all may come of it. Keep hoping.

via GIPHY