Following confirmation of a Downton Abbey feature-length film, producers have announced that the original television cast will return for the project.
As Variety reports, the original principal cast will appear in the movie, including Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
The show's creator, Julian Fellowes, will also return to produce and write the screenplay. The film will be directed by Brian Percival, who directed the original series' pilot episode.
"When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production," Fellowes' fellow producer Gareth Neame told Variety. "Julian's script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival's hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen."
According to Twitter, the film will go in to production this summer.
The Downton Abbey film is a Carnival Films production, and will be distributed by Focus Features and Universal Pictures International.
The original series was set in 20th century Edwardian England and followed the story of the Crawley family and the various staff employed at their estate. It ran for six seasons, ending in 2015.
As Variety reports, the original principal cast will appear in the movie, including Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
The show's creator, Julian Fellowes, will also return to produce and write the screenplay. The film will be directed by Brian Percival, who directed the original series' pilot episode.
"When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production," Fellowes' fellow producer Gareth Neame told Variety. "Julian's script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival's hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen."
According to Twitter, the film will go in to production this summer.
Welcome back to Downton! We're thrilled to announce that #DowntonAbbey is coming to the big screen. Film production begins this summer. pic.twitter.com/3scMUmosic
— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) July 13, 2018
The Downton Abbey film is a Carnival Films production, and will be distributed by Focus Features and Universal Pictures International.
The original series was set in 20th century Edwardian England and followed the story of the Crawley family and the various staff employed at their estate. It ran for six seasons, ending in 2015.