Julian Fellowes: 'It's unlikely I'll ever be involved in anything as successful as Downton again'

(Image credit: Nick Briggs)

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has revealed he was 'sad' to wave goodbye to the characters he'd created for the ITV hit as he spoke at today's world premiere of the final series.

The 65-year-old, who hasn't ruled out making a big screen version, added that it would be hard to pen something as hugely popular as Downton again.

"I'm sorry to see them go - I think the other thing is the show worked very well. I'm very unlikely to ever be involved with anything that's as successful again and so of course I say goodbye to these golden years with a slight pang."

Julian, who also revealed at the lavish launch in London's May Fair hotel that the original plan had been to bow out at five series, added that the sixth series will again reflect 'concerns of the time, but also of our time'.

Meanwhile, Dame Maggie Smith, who plays the Dowager Countess, quipped that she was 'just surprised that I got to the end'.

And asked what she plans to do next, she replied: "I'm going to be lying down for quite some time... the other thing I'm going to be doing is watching it."

Downton Abbey series six premieres in mid September on ITV.

 

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.


Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 


David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.


Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!