Pip pip, spit spot and whatnot, Focus Features has set a date of Friday, September 20, 2019 for the release of the DOWNTON ABBEY movie in North America. Additionally, Universal Pictures International will release the film on Friday, September 13, 2019 internationally.
“Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter,” commented Focus chairman Peter Kujawski. “We’re thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen next September.”
For those of you who've never tuned in to the historical period drama, DOWNTON ABBEY followed the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who worked for them at the turn of the 20th century in an Edwardian English country house. Throughout the program's six-season run, the show had grown into an awards powerhouse with 3 Golden Globes, 15 Primetime Emmys, and 69 Emmy nominations to its illustrious name, making the high tea and treachery series the most nominated non-US television show in the history of the Emmys. If that's not enough to have you sticking your pinky up in the air, DOWNTON ABBEY went so far as to earn a Special BAFTA award and a Guinness World Record for the highest critically rated TV show along the way.
Set to reprise their original characters for the movie are Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Penelope Wilton, and of course, Academy Award winning actress Maggie Smith. Joining the primary Downton players for the feature-length event are Academy Award nominee Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, David Haig, Tuppence Middleton, Kate Phillips and Stephen Campbell Moore.
The creator of DOWNTON ABBEY, Julian Fellowes, will pen the film's screenplay in addition to serving as a producer alongside Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. Meanwhile, Michael Engle will direct, with Brian Percival and Nigel Marchant on board to executive produce.
Things are bound to get interesting next September, when the Nobility, Middle, and Servants of the DOWNTON ABBEY series collide for one last dash around the courtyard. Be sure to have your most smashing bespoke suit pressed and ready, or your elaborate finery tailored, for when all the drama takes place.