Downton Abbey (film)
Directed by Michael
Engler
Produced by
Julian Fellowes
Gareth Neame
Liz Trubridge
Screenplay by Julian
Fellowes
Based on Downton
Abbey
by Julian Fellowes
Starring
Hugh Bonneville
Jim Carter
Michelle Dockery
Elizabeth McGovern
Maggie Smith
Imelda Staunton
Penelope Wilton
Music by John
Lunn
Cinematography Ben
Smithard
Edited by Mark
Day
Production
company
Carnival Films
Distributed by Focus
Features
Release date
13 September 2019 (United Kingdom)
Downton Abbey is a British historical period drama film,
written by Julian Fellowes and directed by Michael Engler. It is a continuation
of the television series of the same name, created by Fellowes, that ran on ITV
from 2010 to 2015.
The film is set in 1927, and features a visit to Downton
Abbey by King George V and Queen Mary. It was scheduled to open in theatres on
13 September 2019 in the UK and on 20 September 2019 in North America.
Cast
Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham
Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham
Jim Carter as Charles Carson
Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter
Brendan Coyle as John Bates
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot
Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley
Michael C. Fox as Andrew "Andy" Parker
Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
Matthew Goode as Henry Talbot
Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert Pelham, 7th Marquess of Hexham
Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
Allen Leech as Tom Branson
Phyllis Logan as Elsie Hughes
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason
Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore
Douglas Reith as Richard Grey, Baron Merton
Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey, Baroness Merton
New cast members
Max Brown
David Haig as The Royal Butler
Geraldine James as Queen Mary
Simon Jones as King George V
Tuppence Middleton as Lucy
Stephen Campbell Moore
Kate Phillips as Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of
Harewood
Imelda Staunton as Lady Bagshaw
Production
Development
The film is a follow-up to the television series of the same
name, which ended its original run in December 2015 after 52 episodes, and is set around 18 months after the TV
finale. [4] In April 2016, it was revealed that a film adaptation was being
considered, with Julian Fellowes working
on an outline plot. A script was distributed to original cast members early in
2017.
On 13 July 2018, the producers confirmed that a
feature-length film would be made, with production[9] commencing mid-2018. The
script was written by Fellowes, with direction expected to be by Brian
Percival; producers include Fellowes, Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. The film
will be distributed by Focus Features and Universal Pictures International.
In late August 2018, it was reported that Percival had
stepped down as director and Michael Engler took on this job. Percival, in
addition to Nigel Marchant, would be an executive producer.
Casting
Original cast members including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth
McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael and Maggie Smith, were confirmed
to return as their characters from the series, with Joanne Froggatt confirming
her involvement in a separate announcement. Actress Lily James, who played Lady
Rose MacClare, stated she would not be reprising her role for the film, as did
Ed Speleers who played footman James Kent.
An August announcement indicated that newcomers Imelda
Staunton, Geraldine James, Tuppence Middleton, Simon Jones, David Haig, Kate
Phillips, and Stephen Campbell Moore would be among the cast of the film. James
is rumoured to be playing Queen Mary. Matthew Goode, who played Lady Mary's
husband Henry Talbot in the final series, will appear only briefly due to other
commitments. Then, in September Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry
Hadden-Paton, Rob James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera,
Lesley Nicol and Penelope Wilton were confirmed to be reprising their
respective roles, with Max Brown joining in a new, undisclosed role.
Filming
Principal photography started in London in late August 2018.
By 20 September, some filming was under way at Highclere Castle, Hampshire,
which had been the main location for the television series. Also in September,
filming was under way in Lacock, Wiltshire, with Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh
Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery as well as two new cast
members, Imelda Staunton (wife of Jim Carter) and Geraldine James; scenes shot
in Lacock included a celebration with horses from the Royal Artillery. Filming
concluded in November 2018.
Plot
As of 21 May 2019, little had been released as to the story
line but the official trailer indicated that the estate had cut its operating
budget and was getting by with less staff. Due to the impending visit of the
king and queen, former head butler Carson returns to help manage the operation.
There is a hint in the trailer that a romance may be developing between Branson
(played by Allen Leech) and Bagshaw's maid Lucy (played by Tuppence Middleton).
Joanne Froggatt who plays Anna had told a reporter a bit about her character's
situation: "She and Mr Bates have a [son]. She is passionate about helping
Lady Mary with the running of Downton, about keeping the legacy going."
Release
The film is scheduled for a UK release on 13 September 2019,
with the US following one week later on 20 September 2019.
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