‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Officially Under Way

The popular PBS TV series Downton Abbey is now taking on the big screen. Plans to create a movie were originally announced in June 2017, but Focus Features released an official production timeline for the film on Friday.

A cast list has yet to be revealed, but Entertainment Weekly reported that Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and Joanne Froggat, who have performed in the series since its first season in 2010, will star in the movie.

50 Celebrities Who Have Died In 2018 – Tribute Slideshow

According to Downton Abbey‘s official Facebook page, filming for the production will begin this summer.

The critically-acclaimed show was created by Julian Fellowes, who won an Emmy for his work on Downton Abbey, and reportedly wrote the screenplay for the forthcoming film. Additionally, Fellowes will produce the film alongside Gareth Naeme, Liz Trubridge and executive producer Nigel Marchant.

 

Over the years, the TV series has received three Golden Globes and 15 Emmys, totaling an impressive 69 nominations. The Book Thief‘s filmmaker Brian Percival will direct the movie.

“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,” Naeme said in a press statement. “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.”

The show, based in 20th century England, follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants. However, the series ended in Nov. 2015 in Britain and in March 2016 in the United States. So, it’s safe to say viewers are eager to watch the film, which doesn’t have an official release date yet.