‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Could Become Reality, Executive Producer Says

A Downton Abbey movie? It could become a reality, according to the show’s executive producer.

Speaking with the Hollywood Reporter, Gareth Neame, has hinted that a feature film based on the super popular period drama could happen some time in the future. This comes as no surprise due to the once unimaginable success of the series.

The announcement that Downton Abbey would end after Season 6 has left many loyal fans in mourning. After all, we are talking about one of the most successful British dramas in recent years.

It started modestly and with uncertainty in 2010, but audiences were glued to their television sets week after week through out the last five seasons. The success, not only in the U.K. but in the U.S. and beyond, is not something that was certain, not even for veterans among the cast.

One of the original cast members, Hugh Bonneville — who plays Lord Gratham, Robert Crawley, the owner of the country estate known as Downton Abbey — told Good Morning Britain he is “amazed” the show lasted more than one season and became an international sensation followed by millions all around the world.

“Those who follow the show might remember at the end of (season) 1, there was a slightly odd feeling because some of it was wrapped up in case the show never returned and some of it was led to pen in case it did – so, there was no guarantee the show was going to continue.”

With any new television show, there is uncertainty and especially when we are talking about period dramas. One of the reasons why Downton Abbey caught on fire with viewers is that it’s an original, created by Julian Fellowes. Most series in the genre are based on novels, so the outcome is known, but Fellowes was able to keep the suspense season after season, and the show earned record number of viewers.

The show was not without controversy. One of the most shocking and talked about television deaths of all time came at the end of Season 3, when Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) — the heir-apparent to the estate — was killed in car accident quite unceremoniously. Fans were in an uproar as to the circumstances surrounding the character’s departure. However, Fellowes was left with no choice when Stevens announced his intentions of leaving the show.

It took some time to get used to, but life went on in Downton Abbey, especially for his widow, Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery), who has moved on after giving birth to the heir. Now that the show is coming to an end, Neame says it is good timing to call it quits.

“Our feeling is that it’s good to quit while you’re ahead. The show is so popular globally, that there’s a danger to let them go for eight, nine, 10 years. It’s more important to us to make a perfectly formed show that is brought to end when the time is right. We don’t feel we’ve outstayed our welcome.”

Despite the news that a Downton Abbey movie could be in the works, Neame warns fans not to get too excited as at this time there are no firm plans, though he and Fellowes have considered it. There is also rumor of a spin-off, but again, nothing firm is confirmed at this time.

We will keep you posted on any news about a possible Downton Abbey movie.

[Image via ITV]