Movies - Downtown Abbey 2 : Release confirmed for Christmas 2021

By Mulder, 19 april 2021

Focus Features President Peter Kujawski today announced the start of production on Downton Abbey 2 in co-production with Gareth Neame of Carnival Films. The lead roles from the original series return once again in this new installment, which begins shooting next week and is scheduled for release this holiday season.

Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West complete the original cast. Oscar-winning series creator Julian Fellowes will once again pen the script for this second film, which will be directed by Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn, 2011), while Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge will produce with Fellowes.

The previous film featured the visit of the King and Queen of England to Downton Abbey, the home of the Crawley family, and ended with a ball in honor of the royal family.

Gareth Neame, the film's producer and CEO of Carnival Films, said, "After a terrible year in which many of us have been separated from family and friends, it's very comforting to be able to look forward to a brighter future in which we can finally be together with our favorite Downton Abbey characters for Christmas.

Peter Kujawski, president of Focus Features, added: "Nothing will ever replace the holiday season with family and friends by the fire, and we couldn't think of a better gift than to have Julian, Gareth and the entire Downton Abbey team back in the homes of their fans to celebrate the Crawleys' return.

Downton Abbey 2 is produced by Carnival Films in association with Focus Features and will be distributed by Universal Pictures International. Carnival Films is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, which is part of Universal Studio Group.

Synopsis:
Follow-up to the 2019 feature film in which the Crawley family and Downton staff received a royal visit from the King and Queen of Great Britain.

Downton Abbey 2
Directed by Simon Curtis
Produced by Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge
Screenplay by Julian Fellowes
Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton
Cinematography : Andrew Dunn
Production companies : Carnival Films, Focus Features
Distributed by Universal Pictures (international), Focus Features (United States)
Release date : 22 December 2021

(Source : press release)