There’s a Downton Abbey movie on its way and we cannot wait

From your Sunday night fix to a feature length film

Words by Zoe Knight

It’s been nearly three years since we said goodbye to the Crawleys in a charming Christmas special and we’ve had separation anxiety from the aristocrats and a Maggie Smith shaped hole in our hearts ever since. But that’s all about to change…

That’s right, the Crawleys are making a come back! The doors of Downton Abbey have reopened, with the original cast returning to set to shoot a movie adaptation of the award winning series.

But there are so many questions. Here's everything you need to know...

When will the Downton Abbey movie be released?

So when is the film set to hit the big screen? As the cast and crew are still currently filming, we unfortunately have some time to wait, but a release date has been announced. Diehard Downton fans - make sure to clear your schedules, put together your best post-Edwardian ensembles and circle September 13th 2019 in your calendars.

Who is in the cast of the Downton Abbey movie?

The confirmed cast list sees the return of firm fan favourites. These include Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley, Hugh Bonneville as the Earl of Grantham and Elizabeth McGovern as the Countess. But we have to give a special mention to Dame Maggie, who will officially be reprising her role of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess.

Maggie’s presence in the motion picture has been the biggest surprise to viewers of the show, as the icon has previously voiced her concerns about the potential blockbuster. When asked about the film last year at the BFI & Radio Times Festival she said, 'I just think it’s squeezing it dry, do you know what I mean?' Well we’re nothing less than thrilled by her change of heart.

What is the plot of the Downton Abbey movie?

For now specific details of the film’s plot are unknown. However, Focus chairman Peter Kujawski is calling it 'the Crawley family’s next chapter.' So make of that what you will. Until more info comes to light we will continue to analyse the cast members’ somewhat cryptic social media posts.

Michelle Dockery took to Instagram to share an artistic black and white image of the set on the first day of filming, while her co-stars continue to post behind the scene selfies that tell the fandom very little. They really aren’t giving much away are they?

Even though so little about the film’s narrative is known, expectations are sky-high. Excited fans are already calling it as a future Academy Award winner. The show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, told BBC News, 'I’ve done my best, I know the cast are doing their best and I think it will be fun. But I won’t count any chickens, thank you, until it is out, until we know how it is doing.'

Now if you’ll excuse us, one must prepare for what is sure to be an absolutely spiffing movie (by binge watching all six series again of course!)