A 'Downton Abbey' sequel is currently in production, coming to theaters this Christmas
NEW YORK â The original principal cast of âDownton Abbeyâ are returning for a second film that will arrive in theaters December 22 this year, Focus Features announced Monday.
âDownton Abbeyâ creator Julian Fellowes has written the sequelâs screenplay, and Simon Curtis (âMy Week With Marilynâ) is directing. Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and 86-year-old Maggie Smith will all be back, along with some new faces, including Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West.
Production began last week on âDownton Abbey 2.â
âAfter a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be re-united with the much beloved characters of âDownton Abbey,ââ said producer Gareth Neame.
The 2019 film, coming three years after the series ending, made $194.3 million on a modest budget of less than $20 million.
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Previously:How 'Downton Abbey' has changed â and how it hasn't â as beloved TV drama jumps to big screen