Following its exclusive debut in UK cinemas, Universal has now fully released the trailer for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, and it reveals a heartbreaking moment that fans knew would be coming but didn't want to think about.

The first trailer for the final ever movie in the Downton Abbey franchise was released today, Monday, June 2, and quickly brings us up to speed with all our series favourites.

While the trailer doesn't give too much away for fans, we do know we will be catching up with the Crawley family in 1930 as they head to the races.

The clip also reminds fans this really is the last time we will be taking a trip to Downton, with the caption revealing: "The place we'll always remember, the family we'll never forget. Everything has led to this. It's almost time to bid farewell."

Although all our Downton favourites will be back in their roles for the final time, one notable absence will, of course, be the late and great Dame Maggie Smith as we see a painting of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, hanging pride of place on the wall of Downton Abbey.

Lady Mary can then be seen standing and looking at the picture with a sad look on her face, reminding everyone of the gaping hole Maggie has left both behind the camera and on screen as the sharp-tongued-but-brilliant Countess of Grantham.

In the trailer, we see our beloved cast of characters navigate how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter.

And while this is going to be an emotional watch for fans, if the clip is anything to go by, it looks like the series will most definitely be going out with a bang.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is released in cinemas on 12 September.

Netflix has added The Inheritance, a family thriller starring Downton Abbey's Rob James-Collier.

Rob, who's best known for playing servant Thomas Barrow in the costume hit, is joined by a big-name cast including Larry Lamb, Kevin Whately, Gaynor Faye, Jemima Rooper and Samantha Bond.

The four-part drama, now streaming on Netflix in the UK having originally aired on Channel 5, sees three siblings embark on a dangerous journey to discover whether their father was murdered. It's no longer available on Channel 5's streaming service, My5, so this is a good chance to watch it if you missed it.

It's fair to say The Inheritance received a somewhat mixed reaction when it was first released, with some loving the family saga, while others feeling the ending was rushed. 

The plot sees Daniel (Robert James-Collier), Sian (Gaynor Faye) and Chloe (Jemima Rooper) left reeling after the sudden death of their father, Dennis (Larry Lamb). They are further devastated to discover they have not been left their expected inheritance in his will and it's instead gone to a mystery woman. They begin to wonder if he really did die in an accident or if he was murdered.

Their investigation takes them down a dangerous path and sees secrets unravel, relationships ripped apart and lives lost. Did the mysterious woman murder their father? And what secrets are they keeping from each other?

Speaking at the time about his part as Daniel, Rob James-Collier said: "I have some sympathy with Daniel, but if I'm being honest he's quite selfish. He used his dad all his life and kept taking from the pot, only thinking of himself and his ego! His immediate concern is that he needs the inheritance because his restaurant is going to go bust, so it's clear his father's been financing that a bit. 

"The others think there's a bit of favoritism towards Daniel, which causes tension, but when his dad dies Daniel’s instinct overtakes his emotions and we don't get to see his grief until later. It's not just the grief of losing someone, as secrets are revealed he has to contend with the fact that the person he's grieving for is a completely different man to the one he thought he knew."

Jemima Rooper, who's coming up soon in the Famous Five season 2, said of Chloe: "At first I was a little puzzled by Chloe and she's a bit of a mystery for the audience. Of all the siblings, she seems to be the most stable and is in a normal relationship with Pete (Adil Ray), with whom she has two kids. Later on, the secrets come out and people's masks start to slip as they find things out about themselves or about each other. At some point, everyone's a potential suspect."

Can you work out who's lying? The Inheritance is available on Netflix in the UK now. It's not currently available in the US. 

Legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89. 

A statement from her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said: "It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

"She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.

"We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

Dame Maggie won a Best Actress Oscar for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969 and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite in 1978.

More recently she won a new generation of fans as sharp-tongued but loveable matriarch Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey between 2010 and 2015 and playing the beloved character Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies.

Born in Ilford, Essex, on December 28, 1934, Dame Maggie Smith found global fame as an actress in a hugely successful career that began back in 1952 as a student, performing at the Oxford Playhouse. In recognition of her amazing career, Maggie was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990. 

Friends and fans of the star have begun offering their condolences, including British broadcaster Gyles Brandreth who paid tribute to “truly great actress”...

Writing on Twitter/X, he said: ”The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era and a quite extraordinary life.

“She was a truly great actress, one of the greats and simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way and consequently irreplaceable.”

It has been revealed that Joanne Froggatt will return to her role as Anna Bates in Downton Abbey 3 - but she's back with a twist! 

The much-loved star played Lady Crawley's maid, in Downton Abbey from 2010 until the finale in 2015 and the first two films, and now she is back filming the third movie along with most of the show's original cast members. 

The third and final movie in the franchise is filming this summer, with a release date set for 2025, and according to reports Joanne has been seen back on set in character - complete with what looks like a baby bump. 

Whether Anna is pregnant or not remains to be officially confirmed, however, an insider reportedly told The Sun: "This will be welcome news for fans of the drama because Anna was a particular favorite but none of the cast members were guaranteed to return.

“Although the producers have tried to reunite most of the Downton stars, not all of them have been able to commit, even if they did appear in the first two films.”

After months of speculation, producers confirmed a third movie was on the way in May 2024.

All our old favourites characters will be back, while stars such as Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan will be joining the cast. Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter from Downton Abbey: A New Era.

“It feels amazing and a tad emotional," said Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, in a video confirming the news. "It's wonderful all to be back together again. You come back together and it's like no time has passed at all." 

Unfortunately, one cast member unlikely to return is Imelda Staunton, who played Maud Bagshaw. Despite the fact the star of The Crown was the first to confirm the film was in production when she let the cat out of the bag on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast Show in March 2024, the movie is set to film at the same time Imelda is appearing in Hello Dolly! at the London Palladium Theatre. 

Fortunately, her real-life husband, Jim Carter, will reprise his Downton role, Charles Carson, as will Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham.

Filming on the third spin-off movie is underway, with a release date of 2025 likely. 

Harry Potter's Toby Jones has revealed that loads of Potter fans forget he was Dobby in the movies.

Toby voiced the house elf in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. But owing to the fact that as the voice of Dobby, his face wasn't on screen, Toby said many people don't remember he was part of the hugely popular franchise.

Indeed, at the recent Hay Festival, he shared an amusing story where he went to the premiere of Chamber of Secrets and there was complete silence when he walked down the red carpet! The Detectorists and Mr Bates vs The Post Office star laughed that his two children wondered what he'd done to upset everyone!

"I took my kids to the premiere of the second film, the Chamber of Secrets, and there were hoards of fans screaming. Kenneth Branagh [who played Gilderoy Lockhart] went through and people screamed, and then Daniel [Radcliffe], more screaming, and then me, utter silence! My children looked up at me, 'What did you do!? Have you embarrassed us in some way?'."

Toby went out to say it "was a lovely thing" to be part of the Harry Potter world and he's very "proud of it". But Toby said that despite the fact many people don't recall he was in the movie he still gets more fan mail for playing Dobby than any of his other roles. “Harry Potter trumps everything with everyone. If I'm lucky enough to get fanmail through the post, it's 4 to 1 Harry Potter."

Dobby of course was a true hero of Harry Potter. In The Chamber of Secrets, Dobby goes against his masters, the Malfoy family, to try to warn Harry that he was in danger from Lord Voldemort, plotting to stop him from going to Hogwarts for the new term as he knew Harry could be killed. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Dobby again came to Harry's aid, rescuing him from being killed at Malfoy Manor. But sadly in the process, Bellatrix Lestrange managed to throw a knife at him which delivered a fatal blow. Harry movingly decided not to use magic as he dug Dobby's tiny grave.

Toby Jones will soon be seen in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, an ITV true crime drama telling the story of the last woman to be executed in the UK.

Get ready for a tearful farewell in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which will see the Crawley family hitting the big screens one last time.

There are sure to be tears of joy and sadness as the final curtain comes down and a new full length trailer has also shared some juicy plot details about the third spin-off movie, which takes the story into the 1930s.

It seems Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) has officially split from Sir Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) yet as a divorcee, she's facing disgrace in the upper echelons of British society - just at the time when Lord Crawley needs her to take on Downton Abbey!

Let's hope the scandal is resolved in what is certain to be the final chapter in a saga that ran for six TV series between 2010 and 2015, before getting two spin-off feature films in 2019 and 2022.

All our old favourite characters will be back, while stars such as Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan will be joining the cast. Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter from Downton Abbey: A New Era.

“It feels amazing and a tad emotional," said Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, in a video confirming the news. "It's wonderful all to be back together again. You come back together and it's like no time has passed at all."

Here's everything we know about Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale so far...

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale release date

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in cinemas on September 12, 2025, in the UK and US it's now been officially confirmed.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale trailer

The full trailer was released at the end of June 2025, and it was well worth the wait. At over two minutes long, we get a lot more detail on the movie, as we catch up with all our Downton favourites in 1930.

With scenes in both London and Downton, the trailer reveals that Lady Mary will be at the centre of a scandal after getting divorced, before a caption reading. "The place we'll always remember, the family we'll never forget. Everything has led to this. It's almost time to bid farewell."

You can watch the trailer in full below...

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale plot

It seems the film will take us into the 1930s, with the future of Downton Abbey hanging in the balance.

Lord Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) is keen to pass the estate on to his daughter, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), yet she has other things to worry about, after being dragged into a scandal following her divorce from Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode).

With Talbot not featuring in the last movie, the signs weren't good for him, but it's clear their relationship has floundered and as a divorcee, Mary is seen as damaged goods, with her personal life splashed across the front pages of the newspapers. But will she find happiness again before the credits roll in this grand finale?

A full synopsis reads as follows...

"The cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawley’s must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future."

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale cast

All our old favourites are confirmed to return, while Paul Giamatti will reprise his role from the TV series as Cora’s brother Harold Levinson.

New cast members include Joely Richardson (The Gentlemen), Alessandro Nivola (Face/Off) and House of the Dragon stars, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan, who will all play new characters.

The previous movie saw Thomas Barrow setting off to Los Angeles with his companion Guy Dexter. Yet Robert James-Collier, who plays Barrow, and The Crown star Dominic West, who plays Dexter, will both be back in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

According to reports Joanne Froggatt has also been spotted back on set in character - complete with what looks like a baby bump. Whether Anna is pregnant or not remains to be officially confirmed, however, an insider reportedly told The Sun: "This will be welcome news for fans of the drama because Anna was a particular favorite but none of the cast members were guaranteed to return."

Unfortunately, Maggie Smith, who played the iconic Dowager Countess, won't be back, after her character passed away at the end of the second spin-off movie, Downton Abbey: A New Era.

It has also been hinted that sadly Imelda Staunton won't be returning as Maud Bagshaw. Despite the fact the star of The Crown was the first to confirm the film was in production when she let the cat out of the bag on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast Show in March 2024, the movie is set to film in the summer of 2024 when Imelda is appearing in Hello Dolly! at the Palladium Theatre in London. Fortunately, her husband, Jim Carter, will reprise his Downton role, Charles Carson, as will Hugh Bonneville, who plays central character the Earl of Grantham.

Meanwhile, Lady Mary's husband Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) didn't feature in the last film and it looks like he won't be in this one either.

Here's a list of cast who are confirmed to appear...

• Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham
• Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham
• Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter
• Brendan Coyle as John Bates
• Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot
• Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley
• Michael Fox as Andy Parker
• Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
• Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert "Bertie" Pelham, Marquess of Hexham
• Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
• Allen Leech as Tom Branson
• Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley
• Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
• Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker
• Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson
• Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore
• Douglas Reith as Lord Merton
• Paul Giamatti as Harold Levinson

Behind the scenes and more on Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be directed by Simon Curtis, with the screenplay by Downton creator and Academy-Award® winner Julian Fellowes. Producers for the movie are Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes, Liz Trubridge, and the executive producer is Nigel Marchant.

After months of speculation, it has been announced that production for the third film in the Downton Abbey franchise is underway. 

The rumour mill has been in overdrive about where Downton Abbey might go next, with the most recent film Downton Abbey: A New Era releasing in 2022. But after Imelda Staunton let slip back in March that there was a third film in the running, fans have been eagerly waiting for an official announcement. 

It has been confirmed today, Monday, May 13, by Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Carnival Films that we will be getting a third installment of the Downton movies. 

It has also been revealed that Downton creator Julian Fellowes has once again written the movie, while Simon Curtis is returning to direct after helming Downton Abbey: A New Era.

It will also come as a relief to fans that all our favorite faces will be returning for the new movie, including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech and Penelope Wilton.

Also confirmed to be returning are Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera and Douglas Reith.

We also have some exciting new additions to the cast including Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan.

Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter, a famous silent film actor, from Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Paul Giamatti, fresh off an Oscar nomination for The Holdovers, is reprising his role as Cora Grantham’s brother, Harold Levinson.

While there are no plot details for the new movie yet, a glimpse of the cast and crew all meeting for what looks like a script run-through was shared on the Downton Abbey social media, which you can watch below... 

Fans of the franchise will remember that the second movie saw Downton become a movie set in a bid to raise some much-needed funds to repair the house, while some of the family went on a sunny trip to the South of France after it was revealed that Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) had been left a beautiful villa in Côte D’Azur after a secret dalliance with a handsome Frenchman back in 1864.

We can't wait to see what drama the third movie will bring! 

Imelda Staunton has announced some huge news for Downton Abbey fans, confirming that the beloved franchise is once again heading to the big screen, although sadly this will be the final film.

There's been plenty of speculation about where Downton Abbey might go next, with the most recent film A New Era releasing in 2022, and now fans have something to get excited about.

Actress Imelda Staunton appeared on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast show on Wednesday, March 20, where she was quizzed about the franchise and if she could disclose any information about new projects.

She replied with a short but very exciting sentence, saying: "There will be the final film – there you go."

Responding to the huge news, Zoe asked "I hope we haven't got you in trouble?", to which Imelda said: "I don't care."

While that snippet isn't a lot to go off, Downton Abbey fans can look forward to a new movie in the future, and by the sounds of things Imelda is once again involved. 

She is known for her role in the period drama, where she played Maud Bagshaw, the queen's lady-in-waiting and the estranged cousin of Lord Grantham, in the previous two movies. Outside of this, she is well-known for her roles as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's The Crown, and as the evil Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series.

Imelda was a new addition to the cast, having not appeared in the original Downton Abbey series, which ran between 2010 - 2015 on ITV and soon became a global hit. There have been rumors that the series may return for season 7, nine years later, according to reports from the Daily Mail. However, this might well be the movie shooting rather than a TV series.

A source "close to the project" told the site: "Filming has been going on for a few weeks now, it is all very, very secret. There are people working on it who have never seen secrecy like it.

"Those working on the set have been made to sign non-disclosure agreements so that they don't give the game away but there is a lot of excitement at the return of Downton."

Fans will have to be patient to find out more about the third movie and if a potential Downton Abbey season 7 is still on the cards...

Previous episodes of Downton Abbey are on ITVX while the two movies can be rented via Prime Video. 

If you're used to seeing Dan Stevens as the genteel Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey, which was the English actor's breakout role, you may get whiplash if you log onto Netflix right now.

The actor's 2014 movie The Guest, which he starred in shortly after exiting Julian Fellowes' classic period drama TV series, was added to Netflix UK on Tuesday, March 12 (its second stint on the streamer after being added in 2015). Within just two days of its upload, it had leapt onto the streamer's Top 10 most-watched movies list — at the time of writing it's sitting at #4, having displanted stalwart Dune which has been trending for weeks now.

• These are the best Netflix shows to watch right now

The Guest stars Stevens as mysterious stranger David. This man shows up at the door of the Peterson family, claiming to be the best friend of their son Caleb who was recently killed in Afghanistan. They're quick to accept David as he proves a firm friend to each of them... however it slowly becomes clear that David has violent tendencies that eventually bring trouble upon him and the Peterson family.

A bloody action movie, The Guest was popular upon release and has continued to be relevant as a minor cult classic ever since. It was also the last of a string of low-budget actioners directed by Adam Wingard before he turned to big-budget Hollywood fare with his latest movie, Godzilla x Kong, hitting cinemas soon on Friday, March 29.

Dan Steven's David is a far cry from the Matthew Crawley that saw him rise to become a household name in 2010. Here he stabs, shoots and explodes his way through an action-packed story, all without becoming paralyzed as he was during his wartime stint in Downton Abbey. Don't watch The Guest expecting a similar character!

Stevens is no stranger to bloody characters, though, with a diverse career since Downton Abbey. He's been a faithless missionary in Netflix folk horror movie Apostle, schitzophrenic superhero in Legion, literal monster in Beauty and the Beast, Russian singer in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga and even Charles Dickens in The Man Who Invented Christmas. One of his more recent roles was as a voice actor in The Boy and the Heron which won Best Animated Feature at the recent 2024 Oscars.

He's set to re-team with Adam Wingard in Godzilla x Kong where also he'll star with Rebecca Hall, who he played alongside in a stage production of MacBeth in 2002 when he was first discovered as an actor.

Once place where you won't see Stevens is in any of the more recent Downton Abbey productions including the 2022 movie and the upcoming ITV reboot, for reasons that'll be all-too-obvious for fans of the series.

We could be paying the Crawley family another visit if Downton Abbey season 7 is announced. 

The hit period drama won millions of fans all over the world during six seasons that ran between 2010 and 2015, with two spin-off movies continuing the story. 

Viewers shared in the joys and sorrows of the Crawley family and their servants, in a tale that took us from 1912 to 1928 — but now there is another chapter in Julian Fellowes' sweeping saga on the way.

After months of speculation, we now know that Downton Abbey 3 is in the works after the third movie was announced in May 2024. 

There's no official confirmation that Downton Abbey season 7 has been commissioned and now that the third movie is on the way a TV show is unlikely... but you never know! 

Here's everything we know about a potential Downton Abbey season 7...

Downton Abbey season 7 release date

There's been no official confirmation at this stage, but if the show does return it is thought it will remain on ITV, the channel that broadcast its previous six series. 

Downton Abbey season 7 plot

The final scenes of the second spin-off movie, Downton Abbey: A New Era, might give us a few clues about what could be going on...

It saw Edith resuming her work at her London-based magazine, while newlywed servants Daisy and Andy schemed to match-up Daisy's former father-in-law, Mr Mason, and Downton cook, Mrs Patmore.

Elsewhere, Molesley proposed to Miss Baxter, Tom and Lucy Branson returned to Downton with Sybbie and their new infant, while Dr Clarkson diagnosed Lady Cora with pernicious anaemia, a treatable condition.

Lady Mary played a prominent part in the movie, yet her husband Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode), didn't feature and his prolonged absence due to a car rally put serious strain on their marriage. Will they be back together in the new series or will Mary be looking for a new man? 

Downton Abbey season 7 cast

If there was to be a new series it's thought stars such as Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern and Joanne Froggatt could return. 

Unfortunately, Maggie Smith, who played the iconic Dowager Countess, won't be back, after her character passed away at the end of the second spin-off movie, Downton Abbey: A New Era. 

That film also saw Thomas Barrow setting off to Los Angeles with his companion Guy Dexter (played by The Crown star Dominic West), while Lady Mary's husband Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) did not feature either. 

Here are some of the cast who could return...

• Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham
• Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham
• Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter
• Brendan Coyle as John Bates
• Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot
• Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley
• Michael Fox as Andy Parker
• Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
• Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert "Bertie" Pelham, Marquess of Hexham
• Allen Leech as Tom Branson
• Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
• Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker
• Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson
• Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore

Where will Downton Abbey season 7 air in the US?

The first six seasons were broadcast on PBS in the United States. Whether that broadcaster will retain the rights for a new series remains to be seen and some of the streaming world’s biggest hitters will be keen to acquire the rights if there’s an opportunity. When we hear more, we’ll be sure to let you know. 

Will there be another Downton Abbey Christmas Special?

There’s no news on whether there will be another festive special, but with previous Christmas episodes performing so well, it’s a distinct possibility. 

Downton Abbey season 7 trailer

There's no trailer available for this one, but we'll be sure to keep you updated if it arrives. 

Downton Abbey's last outing was in A New Era, which hit theatres in 2022, but a new series is heading to TV after a nine-year break from the small screen.

The beloved period drama first aired on ITV in 2010, and went on to become globally loved, spanning six seasons and two feature films, and plenty of merchandise such as cookbooks.

There's great news for fans, as a "secret" new series is in production which will see us returning to the iconic Highclere Castle location, which serves as the main backdrop for the series.

According to the Daily Mail, Downton will be returning to our screens "at the end of the year", where they wrote: "It is understood that it will be on ITV".

"Old episodes of Downton are well watched on the channel's streaming platform ITVX so TV insiders expect they will do what they can to stop it going to rivals such as Netflix or Amazon."

Right now, exact details surrounding the new series have been kept under wraps, and a source teased that the whole thing has been very secret, with people signing NDAs to prevent any leaks.

A source "close to the project" told the paper: "Filming has been going on for a few weeks now, it is all very, very secret. There are people working on it who have never seen secrecy like it.

"Those working on the set have been made to sign non-disclosure agreements so that they don't give the game away but there is a lot of excitement at the return of Downton."

They added: "It was such a huge success before and there are so many more stories to be told, it seemed such a shame not to be able to make more of it but they've made it happen."

Last May, there were reports that Downton could return for a seventh season, so there have been rumours surrounding the project for a while now. 

At the time, an insider told the Daily Mail: "There is casting taking place, and it would be great if all of the big stars can return. People loved Downton. It became a British institution and it has been much missed since it left our screens."

The series features some huge names such as Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville,  Joanne Froggatt, and Penelope Wilton, with the ensemble cast being a huge part of why the series is so loved by many.

Previous episodes of Downton Abbey are on ITVX while the two movies can be rented via Prime Video. 

Shetland season 8 has added a Downton Abbey legend to its ranks, with Phyllis Logan playing the intimidating matriarch Grace Bain.

When we first meet her, she and the rest of her family are on tenterhooks as Grace's granddaughter Ellen Quinn (Maisie Norma Seaton) returns to the island after a traumatic experience in London, and has since gone missing.

The Bain family starts to take matters into their own hands in upcoming scenes, and What to Watch spoke to Phyllis Logan about taking on a role that's very different from what fans might know her from, and she gives her thoughts about why we're a nation of crime lovers...

Downton Abbey could make an exciting return to the small screen, following its successful six season run which also saw two movie spin-offs.

The sixth season of Downton Abbey aired in 2015, with the last episode titled The Finale and subsequent Christmas Special being our final visit to the manor house - or so we thought!

Now, it is believed that a seventh season could be on the cards, reuniting fans with the Crawley family and all the other fan favorites with new episodes arriving for the first time in 8 years.

According to Mail Online, an insider said: "There is a plan which is in development and there is a lot of excitement about it.

"There is casting taking place, and it would be great if all of the big stars can return. People loved Downton. It became a British institution and it has been much missed since it left our screens."

High viewership is one of the main reasons it could return, with the period drama drawing in millions of fans every week during its original run, so fans could be very keen to get another season.

The insider added: "There is huge excitement around this project. It was a Sunday night favourite and got huge viewing figures. There has been very little to compete with it ever since it ended."

MailOnline adds that still in the early stages, but sources say that it is hoped it will be ready to screen "by the end of next year", but they add that the main cast's filming commitments could impact things.

It is also understood that the show, which was created and produced by Julian Fellowes, will air on TV, which has been its home since its original launch in September 2010.

However, Downton's executive producer Gareth Neame declined to comment when asked if he was intending to bring it back, so we don't have official word on whether or not the series might be returning.

Episodes of Downton Abbey are available on demand via streaming service ITVX in the UK and Peacock in the US, and both movies can be rented via Prime Video across multiple territories.

Downton Abbey: A New Era is the sequel to the hugely popular 2019 Downton Abbey movie, which itself was a spin-off from the legendary TV series.

Fans will be delighted to know that all the main cast are back for the Downton Abbey sequel, including Dame Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, and Elizabeth McGovern. Plus a string of new cast members including Dominic West.

Filming took place in 2021 and Dominic West has spoken about how nervous he was to join the cast. Speaking on Downton Abbey: The Official Podcast he said: "It's very daunting coming onto a show that's been going for so long that is such a big phenomenon and such a big success."

The movie has been getting some positive reviews and looks like it's a must-watch for fans. Our Downton Abbey review says to look out for the many hilarious one-liners and brilliant "in-jokes" for fans

 Here's everything we know about Downton Abbey: A New Era...

Where to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era

Downton Abbey: A New Era is available to stream on Peacock in the US. In the UK it's only available for digital rental. Check out our full guide on how to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Downton Abbey: A New Era plot

The trailer for Downton: A New Era (which you can watch below) revealed a string of crucial plot details. In a highly amusing segment, Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) says: "Years ago before you were born, I met a man...". A revelation that leaves her son Robert (Hugh Bonneville) looking suitably stunned. She then goes on to reveal that the mysterious man has given her a French villa! "What?!" exclaims Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery).

So, we know the Crawleys will be heading off to France for a new adventure. It certainly looks like they will be having a lot of fun... and it also seems there might be more to Violet's inheritance than meets the eye.

First-look photos from Downton Abbey: A New Era

New images of the movie have been released, you can see the Crawley family on their trip to France in the gallery below...

The trailer also shows scenes from a wedding. So who's getting married? Well, it's widower Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and maid Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton). We know the wedding goes through without too many hitches as the cast list refers to a Lucy Branson. 

You can see more pictures of Tom and Lucy in the gallery below... 

Downton Abbey: A New Era cast

All the main cast are back. So from upstairs, we welcome back the likes of Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley), Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), and Penelope Wilton (Isobel Merton). 

While downstairs back on duty will be Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), Robert James-Collier (Thomas Barrow), Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore), Sophie McShera (Daisy), and Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates).

The new cast announced are Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye, Dominic West, and Hugh Dancy, who discussed filming the movie with us.

Downton Abbey: A New Era trailers

The full trailer for Downton Abbey: A New Era was released on February 15, 2022 and sees the Abbey thrown into disarray as Lady Mary's allowed the historic building to be used as a film set. Meanwhile, a select few members of the family travel to the south of France to uncover the "mysterious past" behind Violet Crawley's newly-inherited villa. 

You can watch the trailer below:

You can also watch the official teaser trailer that was released back in November 2021 below:

What was the original title of Downton Abbey: A New Era?

It was initially just called Downton Abbey 2, which isn't the most exciting title ever. Elizabeth McGovern posted on Instagram back in April a snap that also indicated the aim originally was to have a Christmas 2021 release.

More Downton Abbey

• Downton Abbey: A New Era ending explained
• Dame Maggie Smith — things you didn’t know about the Downton Abbey star
• Downton Abbey: A New Era stars hit the red carpet for world premiere
• Is The Gilded Age the new Downton Abbey? From the lavish settings to the grande dames we compare the two!

It’s time for another return to Downton Abbey, as the worldwide hit TV show has its second movie with Downton Abbey: A New Era. Fans have been enjoying the latest Downton story in movie theaters, but soon it is going to be available for at-home viewing.

If you’re wondering whether you should be checking out Downton Abbey: A New Era, What to Watch’s review praises the movie, saying fans will love it and it "whisks us away from the real world" for its duration.

Here’s what you need to know on how to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Is Downton Abbey: A New Era streaming?

In the US Downton Abbey: A New Era makes its streaming debut on Friday, June 24, launching on the Peacock streaming service.

If you want to stream the movie on Peacock, you'll need to be a Peacock Premium subscriber (signed up to either the ad-supported or ad-free plan). 

In the UK there currently isn't anywhere you can stream the latest Downton movie. But you can still watch it from the comfort of your own home, by renting Downton Abbey: A New Era on Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and Sky TV.  

US audiences can rent Downton Abbey: A New Era digitally from Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu and Google Play right now for $20. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era DVD

Downton fans can will be able to bring home a physical copy of Downton Abbey: A New Era as soon as July 5. Downton Abbey: A New Era will be available in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD formats. 

A number of special features are included as part of the physical copies (as well as digital purchases). Here's what fans can expect:

• "Good to Be Back": the cast is happy to be back at the estate and making their next film. Hear what it was like for them to see one another again and learn about their character's continuing story arcs.
• "Return to Downton Abbey: The Making of a New Era": a production as large as Downton Abbey: A New Era takes incredible preparation, people, and craftsmanship. This in-depth making-of piece delves into the work that each department contributed to bring this film to life.
• "A Legendary Character": take a look back at the legendary character that is the Dowager Countess of Grantham and see why Maggie Smith was born to play the role.
• "Creating the Film Within the Film": take a deeper dive into the making of the film within the film, highlighting the extra research and details that were taken into consideration, from set design and vehicles to the plethora of period-accurate film equipment and props.
• "Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia": Learn the real history behind Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia and why it was a perfect vessel to play the cross-channel ferry in the film.
• "Spill the Tea (Time)": Sit down with Allen Leech (Tom Branson) and Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) as they spill all the details of what life on the set of Downton Abbey: A New Era was really like.
• Feature commentary with director Simon Curtis

Plus, a special limited-edition gift set is going to be offered with that features the movie in Blu-ray, DVD and digital format, exclusive packaging, vintage-style postcards, a photo book and a collectible Downton Abbey branded stainless steel tea strainer with a velvet bag.

What else you need to know about Downton Abbey: A New Era

What’s in store with this latest trip to Downton? The movie features two big plots, the first involving a movie choosing to shoot at Downton, while the second takes many of the Crawleys to the South of France, where the Dowager Countess has mysteriously come into the possession of a villa.

So many of your favorite cast members are back for this new chapter, including Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Sophie McShera, Kevin Doyle, Laura Carmichael, Penelope Wilton and more. Plus there are some new faces, like Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock and Dominic West.

More Downton Abbey

• Downton Abbey: A New Era ending explained
• Dame Maggie Smith — things you didn’t know about the Downton Abbey star
• Downton Abbey: A New Era stars hit the red carpet for world premiere
• Is The Gilded Age the new Downton Abbey? From the lavish settings to the grande dames we compare the two!

Downton Abbey: A New Era has been a huge hit with theatergoers so far, but what happens at the end of the movie? Here we answer your most pressing questions about the film's plot, like does Violet Crawley die? 

Downton Abbey: A New Era is a movie of two halves — on one hand, we have got a film production company wanting to use the house as a location for their new movie, and elsewhere there is also a sunny trip to the South of France for some of the family. 

But as Lord Grantham heads to Côte D’Azur after it is revealed that Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) has been left a beautiful villa after a secret dalliance with a handsome Frenchman, Violet herself is left at home at Downton with her eldest granddaughter, Mary, where despite her ailing health she still manages to steal every scene she's in. 

But what happens at the end of Downton Abbey: A New Era? Here is everything you need to know... 

*WARNING — spoilers for Downton Abbey: A New Era below*

Is Violet Crawley still alive?

It's a sad time for Downton fans, because yes, in the latest movie Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, does die at the end. 

It was hinted at the end of the first Downton Abbey movie that Violet Crawely (played by Dame Maggie Smith) wasn't long for his world, and the second movie then sees Violet dropping a huge bombshell on her family about a romantic dalliance in her past before passing away in a hugely emotional scene with her family all standing around her deathbed. Of course, she doesn't depart before offering some classic words of wisdom and more hilarious quips to her nearest and dearest — what a woman! 

Does Tom Branson remarry in Downton Abbey?

Yes. The film opens with the wedding of Tom Branson marrying Lucy Smith in a beautiful ceremony. The pair share a happy day with their friends and family around them, before going on a trip to the French Riviera where they later discover Tom's daughter Sybie will inherit the luxurious villa. 

But it isn't just villas in sunny France that put a smile on the happy couple's faces, because before the end of the movie the pair also discover they're expecting a baby together and in the final scene of the film, they are seen visiting Downton with their baby together.

Does Lord Grantham have an illegitimate son?

No. While Lord Grantham doesn't have an illegitimate son (well, not that we know of, maybe a plot for a future film?!) it was thought in Downton Abbey: A New Era that he himself might be the lovechild of Violet and Montmirail — a handsome Frenchman that Violet had a summer of romance with back in 1864.

Despite the film focusing on the fact that Lord Grantham thinks his entire childhood has been based on a lie, it turns out that his father is in fact Patrick Crawley. While on her death bed, Violet confirms to Robert that he is indeed the legitimate son of herself and the previous Lord Grantham, leaving him relieved.

Do Molesley and Miss Baxter get together?

Yes, after years of secret feelings for one another, Downton Abbey: A New Era finally sees Miss Baxter and Joseph Molesley getting engaged. 

Miss Baxter has been waiting for Molesley to get down on one knee for a while now, but he always thought he wasn't worthy of her hand in marriage with only a school teacher's wage in his pocket. However, when he gets the offer of a lifetime and is hired as a screenwriter by movie maker Jack Barber, Molesley finally plucks up the courage to propose. 

The pair share what they think is a private moment as Molesley proposes, only to discover that the entire film crew and house staff have heard every word through the filmmaker's microphone.

What is wrong with Cora Crawley?

Alongside trips to France and famous movie stars descending on Downton, there is also a storyline in the new movie that sees Cora hiding the fact she thinks she's seriously ill. 

She eventually comes clean to Robert while in France, where she confesses that she has been under the weather and fears she could die. The pair make a grim trip to the doctor where he tells them he will carry out more tests to find out what is wrong. 

Thankfully by the end of the movie, the doctor arrives at Downton to break the good news to Cora that she doesn't have cancer and is actually suffering from a form of anemia, which is easily treated. Phew! 

Does Violet marry in Downton Abbey?

Violet has been married in the past, having married Patrick Crawley, the sixth Earl of Grantham before Downton Abbey the TV series started. Violet shared two children with Patrick, Robert, the seventh Earl of Grantham, and Rosamund, who married a man named Lord Marmaduke Painswick and lives in London.

Check out our new movies in 2022 guide for more films to enjoy. Here's how to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Downton Abbey: A New Era focuses around Lady Violet (Maggie Smith) inheriting a villa in the south of France from a mysterious man from her past, to the horror of her son, Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville). The entire family plus staff decamp to the villa to play out the drama.

As with any production, there is a lot of sitting around waiting for scenes to be filmed and it was during these hiatuses that Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) and Michael Fox (footman Andy Parker) began playing music together. Despite her glittering acting career, Michelle has also performed opera, jazz and even grunge, while he was in a succession of bands that achieved ‘mediocre success’.

The duo not only jammed during takes, their partnership flourished and now they are focusing on their folk duo, named prosaically, Michael and Michelle!

Michael bought his guitar on location when he joined Downton Abbey in 2015 and it wasn’t long before he discovered Michelle had a sensational voice.

“We started to play a few covers and stuff and then it just kind of escalated.”

Michael and Michelle mean business. “We don’t really see this as a side project,” she says. “Maybe in the past it was, but now we’re going into it 100 per cent.”

The duo both play guitar on their new record and combined to write the music and lyrics, which was a breath of fresh air to the actress.

“When the writing is coming from you, and you’re not saying somebody else’s words – I find that really liberating.”

“I don’t think we’d want to do it if it felt like people were just coming to the music because of Downton,” said Michael.

“It’s us– we’re not playing characters,” she added. “I think it will be a whole other experience.”

Meanwhile, they have a new film out and the question is, can Downton Abbey survive the death of arguably its favourite character? The cast believe yes, it can.

Downton Abbey: A New Era has enjoyed a successful opening in UK cinemas (it opens in the US on May 20), but it’s no surprise to learn that the drama, relocated to France, features the death of one of its most beloved characters.

But Michelle and Michael believe the drama can thrive going forward.

“It wasn’t a surprise because of course, that storyline was set up in the first film,” Michelle told the Daily Telegraph. “We’ve spent a really long time with each other. We’re a family. [The death scene] was quite a moment for everybody.”

Michael was bullish about Downton’s survival. “I think it can… We’d like it to carry on.”

The Watching Silence is out now 
on Decca Records. 

Dame Maggie Smith is one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment and has enjoyed a glittering career on stage and screen, spanning seven decades. Her resume is nothing short of staggering. To date, she’s starred in over 60 films and 70 theatre plays, and is one of Britain’s most decorated artists, having won BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Primetime Emmy’s and two Oscars.

Although already a huge star in the UK, Maggie achieved international acclaim in 2001 for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series. And she gained newfound fame in 2011 playing Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in both the ITV series and film adaptation of period drama, Downton Abbey.

A second movie, Downton Abbey: A New Era, which is now in UK cinemas and is heading to the US on May 20, will see Dame Maggie reprising her role as the irrepressible Crawley matriarch, which is sure to delight fans.

But before that, here are a few facts you may not know about the veteran actress…

Dame Maggie Smith began her acting career in Oxford

Born in Ilford, Essex on December 28th 1934, Margaret Natalie Smith was the only daughter of Margaret Hutton and Nathaniel Smith, and the younger sister of twin brothers, Alistair and Ian. 

Maggie’s mum, a secretary from Glasgow, met her father, a public-health pathologist from Newcastle upon Tyne, while traveling on a train to London. When Maggie was four the family relocated to Oxford for her dad’s job, where she became a pupil at Oxford High School. Although her parents, particularly her mother, disapproved of her acting ambitions, Maggie was determined to pursue her career of choice. After leaving school in 1952 at 17, she joined the Oxford Playhouse to hone her craft, and took on her first leading lady role, playing Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Parts in productions of Cinderella, Cakes and Ale and The Government’s Inspector followed, before Maggie went overseas to Broadway, making her professional acting debut there in 1956.

Maggie’s won the 'The Triple Crown of Acting'

Maggie is one of only a few illustrious actors to have achieved 'The Triple Crown of Acting' — the highest accolade for film, television and theatre. She is the recipient of a Tony award, four Primetime Emmy gongs, and two Oscars – for Best Actress (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, 1969) and Best Supporting Actress (California Suite, 1978). Among her other incredible achievements are seven BAFTA’s, a BAFTA fellowship awarded in 1996, three Golden Globes, five Screen Actors Guilds, and she’s won Best Actress at the Evening Standard Awards a record six times over her career, the first being in 1962. 

In 1990, Maggie was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to the arts and received the Companion of Honour for her services to drama in 2014. We think that deserves a standing ovation! 

Her heart lies with the theatre

With her incredible acting ability and impeccable comedic timing, versatile Maggie can turn her hand to any genre. These days she’s best known for her performances on the small and big screens, but Maggie says her heart lies with the theatre as it’s her favourite medium. 

Although having appeared in numerous Shakespeare plays, including playing Desdemona alongside Laurence Olivier in Othello, she once famously remarked the works of the Elizabethan playwright are 'not her thing'. Theatre was Maggie’s first love, and after a 12-year absence, she returned to the stage in April 2019 in a one woman show, A German Life, based on the real-life testimony of Brunhilde Pomse, secretary to Nazi propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels. Her solo performance won rave reviews, with critics describing it as ‘a triumph’. 

She won’t watch her performances

Despite having spent all her adult life acting, modest Maggie admits she can’t bring herself to watch herself on screen. During a conversation with journalist Mark Lawson for Radio Times in 2017, the self-deprecating star explained: “I think it’s because you really can’t do anything about it. In the theatre at least you can think I’ll have another go at it tomorrow night, but (on-screen) it’s forever. Of course, you’re forced to see yourself if you go to one of those premiere things, but you always think why on earth did I do it like that? And there’s no going back. It’s weird seeing yourself – even mirrors are tricky!”

Maggie’s not a fan of being famous

Maggie is now recognised wherever she goes, but being famous doesn’t always please the notoriously private actress. Although having achieved incredible success in her career, the star insists she was once able to lead a ‘normal life’ and largely went unnoticed when she used to visit theatres and galleries. 

However, since Downton mania swept the country, she finds she can’t go anywhere without being approached by fans, of all ages. Appearing on The Graham Norton Show in 2015, Maggie recalled an adorable incident with a young viewer in her local supermarket: “I was in Waitrose and a little boy was at the checkout with his mother and he kept looking at me. I thought what am I going to do about this? and I said, “Can I help you?” and he said, “It’s alright, it’ll come to me in a minute”. I thought that was so sweet, so lovely.” 

She married her old flame

While working with Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre in the 1960s, Maggie started a relationship with actor Robert Stephens, who was also contracted to the company. The pair went on to marry in 1967, and had two sons together – actors Chris Larkins and Toby Stephens, who starred as Bond villain Gustav Graves in Die Another Day. The pair divorced in April 1965 and later that year, Maggie got hitched to playwright Beverley Cross at Guildford Registry Office. 

In a move-like twist, Maggie and Beverley had previously dated, and he had first asked her to marry him 20 years earlier. The couple remained devoted to one another until Beverley’s death in 1998, and Maggie is grateful they got a second chance at love. 

In an interview with The New York Times she said: “I’m remarkably fortunate. When you meet again someone you should have married in the first place, it’s like a script. That kind of luck is too good to be true.”

She’s overcome her own health battles

Life struck Maggie a blow in 1988 when she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Although not life-threatening, the chronic illness is caused by an overactive thyroid. In order to treat the condition, which she had suffered from since childhood, Maggie underwent radiotherapy and optical surgery. Then in 2007, a national newspaper revealed that the much-loved actress had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and was undergoing chemotherapy during filming for the sixth Harry Potter film. Determined it was business as usual, Maggie continued working throughout her treatment and thankfully went on to make a full recovery.

She has no plans to retire

Maggie will be celebrating her 88th birthday this year, but has no plans to give up the day job just yet. However, she did give actor Dominic West a bit of a scare. While filming together for Downtown Abbey: A New Era, Maggie let slip to Dominic (who plays silent film star Guy Dexter) that this movie would be her last. 

Recalling their conversation at a press conference, the actor said: "She (Maggie) said she’s going to throw in the towel now. No more acting, and I’m not doing theatre either, this will be my last job". However, it turns out Maggie wasn’t exactly telling him the truth. "I went back in the following week," Dominic said, "And Maggie told me she’s booked another film, she starts next week." Phew! 

She does her bit for charity

Maggie has put her fame to good use, by helping raise the profiles of several charities. Proud of her roots, Maggie is a patron of the Oxford Playhouse. She’s also a vice-president of the Royal Theatrical Fund, which raises money to help members of the entertainment industry, who are unable to work due to illness. And in 2020, Maggie joined four of Britain’s most respected actors – Dame Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Kenneth Branagh for a Zoom chat. Their conversation, entitled ‘For One Knight Only’ was to raise money for the charity Acting for Others. 

Dame Maggie Smith’s fact file

Frequently asked questions about the legendary star…

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

This latest offering from Julian Fellowes is like going out for dinner with an old friend you haven't seen in a while, you know where you are with them, no one is pretending to be something they're not, and you can pick up right from where you left off the last time you saw them... if you are looking for a movie with high octane twists and turns then perhaps this one's not for you! But, there is no doubt that Downton fans will be happy with the movie sequel, which gives just the right balance of happiness, humor and heartache in all the right places. 

Set in the late 1920s, Downton Abbey: A New Era is one of two halves. We find Downton feeling rather sorry for itself with the roof leaking and much-needed funds for repairs quickly diminishing but, as luck would have it, there is a film production company wanting to use the house as a location for their new movie... much to Lord Grantham’s (Hugh Bonneville) disgust. 

But while her father isn't keen on having a team of ghastly "kinema" folk taking over his magnificent home, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is more open to the idea... and soon the offer of a hefty cheque helps change Grantham's mind.

Elsewhere, there is also a sunny trip to the South of France for some of the family after it is revealed that Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) has been left a beautiful villa in Côte D’Azur after a secret dalliance with a handsome Frenchman back in 1864.

As Lord Grantham whisks his wife Cora and half the family and staff off to France, he is shocked to stumble across a family secret that leaves him questioning his entire existence — but what really happened all those years ago between Violet and her mysterious French suitor?

Meanwhile, back at Downton, the staff are beyond excited about having Hollywood come to visit apart from Carson of course, who can't think of anything more hideous. Anna (Joanne Frogatt) and Daisy (Sophie McShera) can't wait to rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty as Guy Dexter (Dominic West) and screen siren Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock) arrive on the doorstep along with film director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy) to make their silent movie. But while Lady Mary finds herself more involved with the film than she bargains for after forming a bond with Barber, it is the brilliant Mr Molesley (Kevin Doyle) who really finds his calling in life.

Movie stars and fancy French villas aside, there is no doubt that the whole film is led by the brilliant Dame Maggie Smith. Her one-liners as razor-tongued Violet are what make the film (“Ms. Dalglish has all the charm of a verucca”) and if there is one thing that will never get old in Downton it is her brillaint acid barbed insults.

While it remains to be seen if this is the last installment from the Downton franchise, there is no denying that if this is the final engagement for the Crawleys, then things have been very handily left tied up in a nice neat bow. 

But there is still hope for more. There's no doubt Fellowes could find some more Downton drama to write about if the appetite was there and we'd for one love to see the family heading into the 30s. 

Downton Abbey 3? Yes, please! 

Downton Abbey: A New Era is available to stream on Peacock in the US. In the UK it's available for digital rental. Check out full details on how to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era.

More Downton Abbey

• Downton Abbey: A New Era ending explained
• Dame Maggie Smith — things you didn’t know about the Downton Abbey star
• Downton Abbey: A New Era stars hit the red carpet for world premiere
• Is The Gilded Age the new Downton Abbey? From the lavish settings to the grande dames we compare the two!

Downton Abbey fans have been waiting for Downton Abbey: A New Era for a while, but it is finally here (at least for UK audiences). With the movie releasing on April 29 in the UK and many international markets (US fans will have to wait until May 20), the stars of the movie came out for the world premiere in London on Monday, April 25.

Having gotten to know many of these characters throughout the original Downton Abbey series' six seasons and then the 2019 movie, Downton Abbey: A New Era is one of the most anticipated 2022 new movies. So many of the fan favorite characters are back — Michelle Dockery's Lady Mary, Hugh Bonneville's Robert Crawley and Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess, to name a few — plus some new faces, including Hugh Dancy and Dominic West.

The plot of Downton Abbey: A New Era promises a big event picture, as part of the movie will deal with Downton being chosen as the location for a new movie and then the reveal that the Dowager Countess had a past relationship that has resulted in her coming into possession of a villa in the southern France. 

You'll have to see the movie to see how everything plays out, but you can see how the stars that came out for the Downton Abbey: A New Era world premiere with the gallery below. We've also pulled some quotes from the movie's cast from the official Facebook livestream of the premiere.

Here are some quotes from the world premiere:

What's the movie like:
"[The movie is] going to hug you like a warm, warm blanket and you're going to have a really wonderful time." — Dame Penelope Wilton

 "I think it’s the best it’s ever looked. I actually just think it’s one of the best outings for Downton that there’s ever been. It’s such a joy." — Laura Carmichael 

"You have two hours of pure entertainment. You have some laughs, you have some lump in the throat moments. And if you’ve watched the show then you’re going to see some of your favorite characters go on some fantastic adventures. And if you don’t know the show you’re going to have a good time anyway." — Hugh Bonneville

Why fans should see Downton Abbey: A New Era in theaters:
"You cannot replace seeing a film like this on the big screen. You can see it on a small screen, but … it completely enfolds you and transports you. And also, you’ve got to see it with other people sitting next to you. … That’s terribly important. That’s the basis of all drama." — Douglas Reith

On the movie's new French location:
"Mr. Carson dreads going to the South of France. He’s not a good traveler, he’s not fond of the French eating habits or the weather. Jim Carter was absolutely thrilled. I mean, French food and French sunshine suits me down to the ground." — Jim Carter

 "I was very envious and I was being sent lots of pictures, which I’d asked for of course."  — Michelle Dockery

"Speaking for myself, because just arriving, I would have been pretty gutted if they’d said I wasn’t filming in Downton." — Hugh Dancy 

"It was so much fun to see the characters go, put them into a different environment. It’s an environment that’s softer, sexier, looser and they each respond in their own idiosyncratic way and it’s a lot of fun to see and it really moves the story along." — Elizabeth McGovern

Characters' roles in the new movie:
"Change is sort of upon them all. It’s partly why the film is called A New Era. There are shifts happening and it’s interesting to sort of seeing those characters adapt to those changes." — Michelle Dockery

"He [Mr. Molesley] very enthusiastic about movies, about cinema. I think he may have taken Miss Baxter to the cinema at some point … He just loves the idea of them being there in that beautiful setting and he wants to sort of be involved as much as he can. He becomes more involved than he expected to, let’s put it that way." — Kevin Doyle

Will there be another Downton Abbey movie?
"Yep, just tell me where and when." — Elizabeth McGovern

"The truth is, I’ve said goodbye to these people so often and then two years later I’m back at my desk. So I now no longer risk saying goodbye. If the audience wants them and if the actors want to play them, you know." — Julian Fellowes

Actor Dan Stevens has opened up about leaving Downton Abbey after three years, admitting that some people thought he was "mad" to want his character, Matthew Crawley, to be killed off. 

The star, who appeared in the period drama between 2010 and 2012, told The Guardian that he asked the show creator, Julian Fellows, to write his character out of the series just before filming for season three began. 

Despite enjoying his time on the show, Dan has admitted that he was worried about becoming typecast and wanted to try his hand at other genres once his initial contract was up... 

"Nobody knew what Downton Abbey was going to become. There was no sense when we were making it that it would be the juggernaut it turned into. But there were definitely creative itches left unscratched, genres I hadn’t worked in. Three years were up, that’s what we’d initially signed up for, and the appetite to explore further was too great," he explained. 

But with another death already scripted for season three, Dan had to wait until the Christmas special in 2012 for his character to meet his untimely end. In a devastating storyline twist, Matthew was killed off in a fatal car accident while driving home from the hospital after visiting his wife Mary following the birth of their son, George. 

“It’s not something I expect people to readily understand,” Dan said of the departure. “Some admire it, others think I was mad: that the part was the greatest thing that could ever happen to me.”

Of course, fans know that Dan has since gone on to star in some of the biggest movies and TV shows since his Downton departure, and has moved to the US with his wife and three children as his career continues to go from strength to strength. 

As well as appearing in movies such as The Guest, Beauty and the Beast, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, he has also appeared in shows like Netflix horror Apostle and FX series, Legion. 

Dan is currently starring in Gaslit, a new Starz drama that lifts the lid on the Watergate scandal. Dan plays John Dean, the top lawyer within the Nixon administration who eventually turned on the President, making stunning revelations that eventually lead to Nixon's downfall. 

Gaslit is now available on Starz in the US and Canada, and on the streaming platform Starzplay (available on Prime Video) in the UK and Europe, Latin America and Japan.

Downton Abbey: A New Era will be released in theaters on May 20 in the US and April 29 in the UK. 

New images have dropped for Downton Abbey: A New Era and they are just what fans have been waiting for. 

The images give us more of an insight into what drama and excitement we can expect from the second Downton Abbey movie, which will be released in theaters on April 29 in the UK and May 20 in the US. 

We already know that there is going to be plenty going on for the Crawley family from the movie's trailer. Not only does the film delve into the past of Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) as it is revealed that she has inherited a rather fancy villa in the South of France from a mysterious man, but we also know that the family all head off to said villa where it seems there is more to Violet's inheritance than meets the eye. 

We also already know there is going to be a wedding in the second movie as widower Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and maid Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) tie the knot in a romantic ceremony. 

We also know the wedding goes ahead without too many hitches as the cast list refers to a Lucy Branson, meaning Tom will finally be getting the happy ending that he deserves.

The new pictures also show the Crawley family having a great time as they unearth family secrets in France. 

Not only will they discover the 'villa' that Violet has inherited is nothing short of magnificent, but they will also discover more about their family matriarch's mysterious past.

There are also some exciting behind-the-scenes images that have been released, showing the cast and crew filming some of the most important scenes in the movie.

As you can see from the slide show, filming took place while still under some covid restrictions, meaning the cast and crew can be seen wearing their face masks and visors in some images...   

Downton Abbey: A New Era is released only in theatres on May 20 in the US and April 29 in the UK. 

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville was shocked to discover that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskky, provided the voice of Paddington Bear for the Ukrainian dub of Paddingon and Paddington 2.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, Hugh Bonneville started a short Twitter thread where he shared his appreciation for the news, writing: "Until today I had no idea who provided the voice of @PaddingtonBear in Ukraine. Speaking for myself, thank you, President Zelenskky #PaddingtonBear".

Hugh also shared a link to a YouTube clip showing President Zelensky voicing the part for Paddington 2, which you can see below. 

As part of the thread, Hugh also tweeted a link to the Unicef website, where the charity explains their link with the beloved bear, writing: "For those across the world who cherish the values of Paddington..."

Before he was elected President in 2019, Mr. Zelensky studied law at the Kryvyy Rih Economic Institute (the local campus of the Kyiv National Economic University). 

However, he went on to pursue a career as an actor and performer. In 2015, he notably created, produced, and starred in the Ukrainian comedy, Servant of the People. 

This series saw Mr. Zelenskyy playing Vasyl Petrovych Holoborodko, a high-school teacher who was catapulted to fame and elected President of Ukraine after a video of one of his rants against political corruption went viral online.

Three years later, the political party 'Servant of the People' (named directly after the show) was officially registered in 2018. On New Year's Eve in 2018, Zelensky himself announced he planned to follow in his character Holoborodko's footsteps and run for office. He went on to win the 2019 presidential election with a huge landslide of 73% of the vote.

Aside from Paddington and Servant of the People, Zelensky has starred in several Ukrainian movies and series. Back in 2006, he also participated in and won the very first series of the Ukrainian edition of Dancing With The Stars. 

• Downton Abbey: A New Era

A brand new trailer for Downton Abbey: A New Era has just been released, and it sees Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) revealing to Robert and Lady Mary that she's inherited a lush villa in the south of France.

Elsewhere, the house is divided by the news that Downton is about to play host to movie stars as Lady Mary has allowed the house to be used as a film set. Plus, it sees Violet giving Mary a pep talk to ensure she stays respected as the new head of the family.

You can watch the trailer below:

The trailer follows a new poster (below) that was just revealed for the long-awaited return of the Downton Abbey family. It shows us the whole Downton lot crammed together for their close-up, except for one missing character.

Although we were told the entire family would be returning for the sequel, early rumors suggested that Downton Abbey: A New Era would feature the death of a major character. Viewers of the first film probably expected that to be Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), as the first Downton movie revealed she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

However, the poster features Violet up front, suggesting she's likely going to play a prominent role in the new movie. The absent face is actually Lady Mary's husband, Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode), who can't be found anywhere amongst the rest of the Downton lot. Does this mean Lady Mary will be taking Downton Abbey into this "new era" on her own?

Downton Abbey: A New Era was originally due to be released in March but has since been pushed back to later in the year, no doubt to try and make it one of the biggest new movies of 2022.

Downton Abbey: A New Era will be released exclusively in theaters on May 20 in the US and April 29 in the UK.

Downton Abbey fans are going to have to wait a bit longer for the series latest movie, Downton Abbey: A New Era, to make its way to movie theaters, as it has been announced that it is being moved from its original March 18 release date to April 29 for U.K. audiences and May 20 in the U.S. Focus Features, Universal Pictures International and Carnival Films announced the news, with Deadline among the first to report it.

Unfortunately, highly anticipated movies having their release dates reshuffled has become an all too common thing over the last couple of years. While it is not explicitly mentioned in the official announcement from the studio behind Downton Abbey: A New Era, the move is likely because of the familiar culprit: the COVID pandemic.

The omicron variant has caused spikes in cases across the globe. We've already seen a number of movies delay their releases while omicron has been spiking, including Morbius and Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre. 

While the variants numbers are starting to decrease, with a large portion of the targeted theater-going audience for Downton Abbey: A New Era expected to be older adults, the choice appears to have been made to delay the release and give the U.S. and U.K. markets more time to feel good about going back to the movie theater to see it.

Downton Abbey: A New Era was written by series creator Julian Fellows with Simon Curtis on board to direct the sequel. The movie will see the beloved cast — Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter and more —  head to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa. New additions to the Downton Abbey cast are Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West.

Watch the trailer for the movie right here:

Downton Abbey: A New Era is one of the most anticipated new movies of 2022. With its new May 20 release date in the U.S., it is joining the animated movie DC League of Super Pets as the only confirmed movie for that weekend (though it’ll be one week ahead of Top Gun: Maverick). 

Is The Gilded Age the new Downton Abbey? That's the question on everyone's lips.

The Gilded Age is Lord Julian Fellowes’ latest drama aiming to keep us gripped with lashings of secrets, romance, and glossy period backdrops.

Debuting on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK, the series looks at class rivalry in 1880s New York City between the established "old money" and the ambitious nouveau riche.

But can the lives and loves of the warring van Rhijns and Russells prove as addictive as the antics of the Crawleys and their staff in Fellowes’ blockbuster series Downton Abbey, which returns for its second movie spin-off, Downton Abbey: A New Era in March?

We take a look at how the shows compare…

'The Gilded Age' V 'Downton Abbey': Sumptuous settings

The stunning fashions of the 1910s and 1920s as well as lavish locations from ornately-decorated stately homes to Scottish castles made Downton a feast for the eyes.

Bu even though The Gilded Age is set almost half a century earlier in the bustling streets of New York City rather than the Yorkshire countryside, it’s an equally gorgeous watch with elaborate 1880s-style costumes, chandelier-laden New York town houses and a conveyor belt of glittering balls and banquets. 

“I was always interested in the so-called ‘Gilded Age,’ that period after the Civil War in the 1870s and 1880s, when enormous fortunes made from railway, shipping, copper and coal were flooding into New York," says Fellowes. “But it's the ‘gilded age,’ not the ‘golden age.’ It was all about the look of things, making the right appearance, creating the right image.” 

'The Gilded Age' V 'Downton Abbey': Grande dames

The withering put-downs and hilarious one-liners from Dame Maggie Smith as Violet, the formidable Dowager Countess of Grantham, were a highlight of Downton Abbey, with fans looking forward to her delicious delivery of a host of bon mots every week.

In The Gilded Age, Christine Baranski definitely gives her a run for her money as the equally waspish "old money" matriarch Agnes van Rhijn, whether she’s snobbishly putting down her rivals, the wealthy, social-climbing George and Bertha Russell (Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon), or reminding her spinster sister Ada (Cynthia Nixon) of the sacrifices she has made. But, just like Violet, beneath her intransigent views on the proper way to behave, there’s a tender heart hidden away as we see the love she has for her family.

“She’s really stringent. She’s very authoritative. She’s absolutely certain that her decision is the right decision. But as I played her and got to know her, I came to really like Agnes. She has a really dry, withering sense of humor,” says The Good Fight’s Baranski. “She’s one of those crusty old characters, but you also see a softer side.”

'The Gilded Age' V 'Downton Abbey': Spirited heroines

Like her granny Violet, Downton Abbey’s Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) did not suffer fools gladly and she was determined to plough her own furrow as a thoroughly modern woman — remember her fatal liaison with poor Mr Pamuk?! — while trying to do her best for the family and the estate. And in her loving marriages to Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) and then Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode), she was always on equal terms.

The Gilded Age’s kind but steely Marian Brook, played by Meryl Streep’s daughter Louisa Jacobson, appears to be cut from the same cloth as Mary. Although she has no choice but to move to New York from Pennsylvania to live with her aunts after her father leaves her penniless, she doesn’t seem to play the overly-grateful poor relation and soon develops her own strong views on the class conflict. It seems like she will also try to have own say in the marriage stakes, but will the Russells’ son Larry (Harry Richardson) or lawyer Tom Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel) win her heart?

“Marian knows that her probable fate will be to marry as well as she can and survive, but she wants more than this," says Jacobson. “She is curtailed by the rules of her time, but there is a modern streak in her, too. She wants to do something with her life. She wants to be fulfilled.” 

'The Gilded Age' V 'Downton Abbey': Social issues

Over the years, Downton Abbey explored countless issues from the early 20th century from illegitimacy and working women with Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) to social mobility as chauffeur Tom Branson (Allen Leech) married into the Crawley clan.

The Gilded Age also reflects the social concerns of 1880s, particularly through the class warfare between the new money Russells and the established upper classes such as the van Rhijns. But, unlike Downton, it also offers a fresh look at racial divisions at the time through budding writer Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) who befriends Marian and tries to make her own way in the Big Apple.

“I really connected with Peggy,” says Benton. “I could relate to her identity as the child of the first generation of a professional black family who must deal with the pressures and opportunities that come with that. Peggy must negotiate the politics of respectability at that time and what it meant to operate as a black woman in white spaces.” 

'The Gilded Age' V 'Downton Abbey': Life below stairs

Downton Abbey's staff had just as much screen time as their masters and mistresses and were often at the heart of thrilling plotlines from the slow-burning romance between proud butler Carson (Jim Carter) and firm but fair housekeeper Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) to the drama surrounding enigmatic valet Bates (Brendan Coyle), scheming footman-turned-butler Thomas (Rob James-Collier) and devious lady’s maid O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran)

While The Gilded Age seems to place more emphasis on the upper echelons of society, their servants still get a decent look-in. Mystery surrounds George Russell’s valet Watson (Michael Cerveris), Bertha’s sly, lady’s maid Turner (Kelley Curran) seems to be very much in the mould of O’Brien and the Russells' new housekeeper Mrs Bruce (Celia Keenan-Bolger) has to help her mistress make a good impression.

“When we recreate that period, we're as interested in the people working below the stairs as we are in the people above it,” says Fellowes. “It was an integral part of that life, and I don't really see how you can tell those stories anymore and not define the servant characters because they were all there. They were all thinking and feeling and having opinions about their employers and plans for their own lives."

Where can I watch 'The Gilded Age'?

The nine-part series airs on HBO in the US from Monday 24 January 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT and on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK from Tuesday 25 January at 9pm.

The Crawley family will return to the big screen when Downton Abbey: A New Era arrives in cinemas in March of 2022 and we can't wait to find out what they've been up to. 

All our favourites are due to return for the sequel to the popular 2019 movie, which was a spin-off of the hit ITV series, and the family are due to head to France for a new adventure after the Dowager Countess inherits a villa. 

Hugh Dancy is one of the new faces joining the cast, although he has revealed he didn't watch the hit period drama when it was on TV!

Hugh will be starring alongside Julie Walters in Channel 4's animated movie The Abominable Snow Baby this Christmas and when we caught up with him to discuss the film, we couldn't resist asking him about Downton Abbey. 

"I wasn't a big fan of the show when it was on TV," he says. "I wasn't an anti-fan or anything, it was just was one of the shows that I hadn't particularly latched on to. So I had to go back and educate myself! When you sit down and read the script of the Downton Abbey sequel without having a built-in knowledge of who the characters are, I can tell you it's a completely baffling experience!

"Fortunately there's a there's a strong community of people online who have independently made a kind of database of who all the characters are. You type in Mr Bates and you get a potted bio. That's how I came to the world of Downton Abbey, which is not a way that I would recommend!"

Yet Hugh was also keen to explain how much he loved working on the film alongside stars like Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith.

"I loved making the film and I had a great time," he explains. "Speaking as somebody who came to pretty fresh, I was really grabbed by Julian's writing. It's so strong and it moves so fast, with such confidence!" 

We know the Crawley family are off to France in the movie sequel, but could Hugh offer us any other hints about what might be happening?

"The entire Crawley family die!" he says. "JOKING! ... I'm afraid I can't tell you anything, it's more than my life's worth!" 

The first trailer for the new Downton Abbey movie has landed, including yet another killer line by icon Maggie Smith.

In the teaser clip from Downton Abbey: A New Era, Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) reveals a jaw-dropping piece of news that leaves her son Robert (Hugh Bonneville) raising his eyebrows.

“Years ago, before you were born, I met a man...,” says Violet, with a glint in her eye.

“And now I’ve come into possession of a villa in the south of France”.

To which Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), simply exclaims “What?!”

Violet adds: “And with that, I will say goodnight and leave you to discuss my mysterious past.”

The exchange perfectly sets up the film’s plot, which will see the Crawleys head off to France to visit their lavish new villa. The makers have even given Downton’s famous theme tune a tweak to give it a French flavor.

The trailer also features widower Tom Branson’s wedding to maid Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton). We know the wedding is a success as Lucy Smith becomes Lucy Branson on the cast list.

Downton isn’t Downton without Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) who says with a big smile: “The British are coming”.

The trailer goes on to confirm key casting. Beloved characters Thomas Barrow, Mrs. Patmore, Mr. Bates, Daisy Parker, Mr. Molesley, Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes, Anna Bates, Andy Parker, and Miss Baxter will all return.

Plus Lord Grantham, Lady Grantham, Lady Mary, the Dowager, Tom Branson, Lucy Branson, Lady Hexham, Lord Hexham, Lady Merton, and Lord Merton.

Actors Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye, Dominic West, and Jonathan Zaccaï are also joining the cast.

The screenplay has been written by Downton Abbey creator Julia Fellowes, while it's directed by Simon Curtis.

Downton Abbey: A New Era will be released only in theaters on March 18, 2022. It was originally called Downton Abbey 2, but the title has since been changed.

• What to watch after Downton Abbey
• Is Downton Abbey on Netflix?

Is Downton Abbey on Netflix? Where can you stream the beloved period drama? Don't worry, we've got all the answers!

The costume drama sensation first aired on ITV in 2010. Set on the fictional Downton estate in Yorkshire in the early 20th century, the show depicted the lives of the well-to-do Crawley family and their live-in servants.

Downton Abbey was highly acclaimed during its run. It won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy, was the most-watched show on ITV, and became one of the most successful British costume dramas since 1981's Brideshead Revisited. 

After the show came to an end, the story continued in the Downton Abbey movie in 2019. The long-awaited sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era is finally on its way in March next year.

If you're planning a rewatch or want to sit down and binge the whole show from the beginning, you might be wondering whether Downton Abbey is on Netflix. We've got the answer!

• What to watch after Downton Abbey

Is Downton Abbey on Netflix?

Yes! Downton Abbey wasn't available on Netflix for a while as it cropped up on several other streamers, but the entire series has returned to the platform in both the US and the UK. 

If you're wondering whether your favorite show is on Netflix, check out some of our other viewing guides below:

• Is Doctor Who on Netflix?
• Is Game of Thrones on Netflix?
• Is Friends on Netflix?
• Is Harry Potter on Netflix?

How to watch Downton Abbey 

Downton Abbey has reappeared on Netflix in the UK and the US, but the series is also available on Amazon Prime, Peacock (US only) and BritBox!

How to watch Downton Abbey on BritBox

With such a huge range of shows on BritBox, it's no surprise that you can find Downton Abbey on ITV and the BBC's streaming service. 

Downton was one of ITV's must-watch shows when it was initially airing, so it makes perfect sense to get pride of place on the British streamer.

For just £5.99 / $6.99 a month, you can get a BritBox subscription. This lets you stream a huge range of classic and modern British TV including classic Doctor Who, Line of Duty, Bancroft, Death in Paradise and so much more! For more details on subscriptions, check out our breakdown of how much BritBox costs.

• BritBox full list
• How much does BritBox cost
• Best BritBox mysteries
• BritBox vs Acorn TV
• BritBox vs Netflix

How to watch Downton Abbey on Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is another great option for watching Downton Abbey. After all, there's a good chance most of us have a subscription already!

Viewers in the US and the UK can stream all six seasons of Downton on Amazon. An Amazon Prime subscription is either $12.99/ £7.99 a month or $119/ £79. for an annual subscription.

• The best Amazon Prime movies
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How to watch Downton Abbey on Peacock 

Peacock is NBC’s dedicated streaming service that launched last year. There are currently three subscription plans available for Peacock, but luckily you can watch Downton Abbey without paying for either of Peacock’s Premium Plans! 

If you’d prefer to remove ads, you’ll need to sign up for a Peacock Premium Plus subscription. Peacock Premium Plus costs $9.99 a month, but gets you access to all of the content on Peacock including new shows like the Punky Brewster reboot and other Peacock originals alongside classic shows like The Office, all without ads.

Can you buy Downton Abbey?

If you would prefer to own the hit period drama series, you can still purchase all six seasons of Downton Abbey on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

If you prefer to buy physical media, you can also buy the Downton Abbey box set. 

Desperate to know what to watch after Downton Abbey? Need a Downton fix after watching them all?!

The good news is a second movie version — Downton Abbey: A New Era — has just been filmed. The bad news? It’s not expected to hit our cinemas until 2022. But panic not. We’ve picked the best period family sagas for you to help fill the Downton Abbey gap. So whether it’s the sumptuous costumes and sets that appeal, the struggles of the plucky downstairs staff that touch you, or you just like to see rich people being as miserable as the rest of us, there’s something here for you.

Here's what to watch after Downton Abbey — Bridgerton

If you haven’t caught this series yet, you really must have been in complete and total isolation this past year.

Although it’s more corsets and carriages than Downton’s posh frocks and flash cars, the familiar politics of family, wealth and status still drive this show.

Set in the regency era, it sees widowed Violet Bridgerton presenting her daughter during debutante season. She hopes to find a suitable husband for Daphne, although the spirited girl has plans of her own.

The show caused a sensation when it launched, with leading man Regé-Jean Page as the Duke of Hastings fast becoming the country’s number one heart throb. Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne was the other breakout star. She is the daughter of Coronation Street legend Sally Dynevor, who has played Sally in the soap opera for four decades, fact fans.

Word of warning, the series quickly grows far racier with its bedroom antics than we ever saw with the Crawleys and co. Let’s just say we wouldn’t like to be Sally sat at home watching our daughter doing all that Daphne does in episode six…

Number of seasons: 1 (season 2 due in 2022)

Episodes: 8

Average episode length: 58 minutes

Where to watch: UK: Netflix US: Netflix

• Best Netflix series

Upstairs Downstairs

The classic 1970s UK series was a huge hit both at home and in the US. The series formula of master and servant tales told in tandem was undoubtedly the inspiration for Downton.

The show is set in a swish London townhouse rather than Downton’s country pile. However, it’s fair to say that the characters and quite a few of the stories will be reassuringly familiar to fans of Downton.

Spanning three decades from the early 1900s, it follows the Bellamys and their servants through the first world war and beyond, as the residents of the house are forced to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

The show was co-created by actress Jean Marsh, who won an Emmy for her role as Sarah the parlourmaid - just one of a cabinet full of gongs the show grabbed on both sides of the Atlantic.

The series also features future Oscar nominee Pauline Collins and soon-to-be Hollywood starlet Lesley Anne-Down.

And with five full series, it’ll keep you going for a while! And if that’s not enough, you can even seek out the continuation of the series that ran for two seasons from 2010.

Number of seasons: 5

Episodes: 68

Average episode length: 52 minutes

Where to watch:   US: Amazon Prime Video; UK: Britbox

Mr Selfridge

This opulent drama brings us the real-life story of Harry Selfridge, who built and launched London’s famous department store.

Opening at the start of the century, as women’s’ freedoms and tastes broaden, the show sees Harry (Jeremy Piven, Entourage), on a mission to bring his new vision to shopping.

He puts his plan into action to build the biggest and best department store in the world. But as well as his struggle to make the store a success, Harry has to settle his family into London life.

Produced three years after Downtown first became a smash hit, the series was undoubtedly designed with Abbey fans in mind. Glorious sets and period attention-to-detail make it a real feast for the eyes. Meanwhile, the stories of the shop workers bring that above stairs/below stairs vibe to the drama. In fact, when launched in the UK, the series even inherited Downtown’s exact Sunday evening timeslot, just to nail the point home.

Number of seasons: 4

Episodes: 40

Average episode length: 45 minutes

Where to watch: US: PBS Masterpiece; UK: Britbox.

• BritBox full list of shows

A Suitable Boy

If you’d like your tale of family drama and class battles in a more opulent setting, then this might be the one for you.

Set in 1950s India after independence, the drama follows the efforts of Rupa Mehra (Mahira Kakkar) to arrange the marriage of her free-spirited university student daughter, Lata Mehra (Tanya Maniktala), to a "suitable boy". But guess what? Yes, it turns out Lata has very different ideas to her mum.

As well as the ever-present matters of class and status as Lata chooses between three suitors, the story is undercut by the religious tension – with one of Lata’s beaus Kibar being Muslim while she is Hindu.

The stunning drama was filmed on location in India, and was lauded for being a major BBC TV drama featuring an entirely non-white cast.

Number of seasons: 1

Number of episodes: 6

Average episode length: 58 minutes

Where to watch: US: Acorn TV; UK: BBC iPlayer.

• Best BBC dramas

Victoria

Doctor Who and The Serpent star Jenna Coleman stars as the legendary monarch in this lavish series. Think of it as a bit of a prequel to The Crown, as we follow the story of our current Queen’s great-great-grandmother from her ascent to the throne aged just 18.

We see Victoria’s marriage struggle as she juggles family life and Royal duty. Meanwhile, real-life historical events such as the Irish Famine of 1840 and her husband Albert’s drive to put on the famous Great Exhibition of 1852 push the drama along.

There’s also some below-stairs staff action, such as a forbidden romance between one of the Queen's ladies and a footman, which adds to the series’ heady mix.

Number of seasons: 3

Number of episodes: 25

Average episode length: 45 minutes

Where to watch: US: PBS Masterpiece; UK: Britbox.

The Forsyte Saga

The original 1967 BBC adaptation of John Galsworthy’s novels in 1967 was undoubtedly another inspiration for Downtown Abbey. The family saga was a ratings smash and set the standard for period dramas since.

This 2002 remake pulls out all the stops to live up to the original’s reputation. A star cast including Damian Lewis (Homeland) and Gina McKee (Bodyguard) and Rupert Graves (Sherlock). And the epic narrative has all our favourite themes of class, passion and families struggling to hang together in times of change.

The story follows two cousins, straight-laced Soames (Lewis), and the more free-thinking Jolyon (Graves). We follow the pair from the late 1800s into the 1900s, as their romantic choices impact the family, and their lives crossover several times through the decades.

Number of seasons: 2

Episodes: 10

Average episode length: 72 minutes

Where to watch:  US: Netflix/Amazon Prime; UK: Britbox.

Beecham House

Downton in Delhi anyone? That’s certainly what producers were aiming for when they launched this spectacular drama set in India at the turn of the century.

The show sees Jon Beecham (played by Tom Bateman, Murder on the Orient Express) buy a glorious mansion for his family. Having grown uncomfortable with the some of the practices of the big trading company he was working for, he’s determined to start a new life and an honest business. But he can’t escape the secrets of his past and soon the matter of a mysterious child gets the servants gossiping.

For a real Downton touch, the show also stars Lesley Nichols – aka cook Mrs Patmore – as John’s domineering mother, Henrietta. She’s not quite as caustic as Downton’s Countess Violet, but Henrietta does bring a good dose of abrasion to the proceedings.

How many episodes: 6

Average episode length: 60 minutes.

Where to watch: US: PBS Masterpiece; UK: ITV Hub

Belgravia

This one is the real deal – after all, it comes from Julian Fellows, who created and wrote Downton Abbey. This one-off series from 2020 is based on his novel of the same name.

The series opens on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo at a ball thrown by the Duchess of Richmond in Brussels. Among the guests are newly wealthy James and Anne Trenchard. Their daughter Sophia catches the eye of Edmund Bellasis, the son and heir of one of the richest and most prominent families in England.

Deals are made that night which will have consequences forever – as we’ll uncover 25 years later when the two families find themselves living cheek-by-jowl in Belgravia, a swanky part of London.

It might be set 100 years before Downton, but Julian Fellows has a ‘if it ain’t broken don’t fix it’ approach to this one. The series is packed with dashing men, terrible bounders, feisty women, and a nice smattering of servants below stars for good measure.

The all-star cast includes Philip Glenister (Life on Mars) and Tamsin Greig (Friday Night Dinner).

Number of seasons: 1

Number of episodes: 6

Average episode length: 45 minutes

Where to watch: US: Epix; UK: Britbox.

You Rang M’Lord?

If it’s something a little lighter you’re after, may we point you to this classic BBC comedy series. Although devised as a spoof of Upstairs Downstairs, for reasons already outlined, that means it’s also not a million mile away from our beloved Downton Abbey.

Set in a posh London townhouse in the 1920s, the series follows the Meldrum family and its staff. The toffs upstairs are all brilliantly clueless or kind-hearted pushovers, while the workers below stairs are either on the make or too loyal to the family for their own good. There’s even a bossy cook to rival Downton’s Mrs Patmore.

The show’s 50 minutes length – as opposed to a sitcom’s usual half hour or so – give the characters plenty of time to breathe. And with the stories continuing from episode to episode, there are many emotional and even some tear-jerking moments among the japes.

Coming from the pen of Dad’s Army and writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft, this is a class act in every sense.

Number of seasons: 4

Episodes: 26

Average episode length: 50 minutes

Available to view: UK: Amazon Video or search on YouTube.

We hope you enjoyed our here's what to watch after Downton Abbey article!

Jessica starred in the period drama for three years...

Jessica Brown Findlay is known for her role as Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey, but she exited the series after three years.

She's now starring in new BBC2 drama Harlots which starts tonight (5th August).

Why did Jessica Brown Findlay leave Downton Abbey?

Jessica's decision to leave Downton Abbey was known right from the start, according to series creator Julian Fellowes.

She was killed off in a shocking twist in series three, but this was always going to happen.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, he said, "Jessica had said she was going to leave right from the beginning. She said, ‘I'm doing three years, then I'm leaving.’ So that was all worked out."

MORE: Where was Downton Abbey filmed?

This enabled her to try out new roles beyond period dramas, including the sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror, where she starred in Fifteen Million Merits.

After leaving Downton Abbey, she also moved onto the big screen where she starred in Winter's Tale opposite Colin Farrell.

How did Lady Sybil die in Downton Abbey?

Lady Sybil's death shocked viewers, as she tragically died due to complications during childbirth.

Her death even shocked ice queen Violet Crawley, played by Maggie Smith, who displayed restrained grief in the scene.

The Dowager Countess was Lady Sybil's paternal grandmother, so found her death difficult.

Sybil's baby daughter survived, but she sadly passed away due to eclampsia.

She was married to Tom Branson, who chose to name the baby after his late wife.

Who does Jessica Brown Findlay play in Harlots?

Jessica is now starring in new BBC2 drama Harlots. She plays Charlotte Wells, the eldest daughter of Margaret (Samantha Morton).

Charlotte's character is described as being a London celebrity. She's fiery and rebellious, with a bit of a destructive streak.

What films has Jessica Brown Findlay been in?

Most recently, she starred in historical romantic drama The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society alongside Lily James.

She has also been in The Riot Club, England is Mine and Victor Frankenstein.

How old is Jessica Brown Findlay?

Jessica is 30 years old, and was born 14th September 1989.

She was 20 years old when she joined the cast of Downton.

Did Jessica Brown Findlay do ballet?

Yes! In fact, she trained with the National Youth Ballet and the Associates of the Royal Ballet.

When she was 15 years old, she was invited to dance with the Kirov at the Royal Opera House for a summer season.

Is Jessica Brown Findlay married?

No, Jessica isn't married.

Where was Downton Abbey filmed in the UK?

Downton Abbey was filmed at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, which doubled as the Downton Abbey house.

The show’s iconic opening credits featured Highclere Castle in the earliest frames and the house of course played a central part in the ITV period drama.

The Highclere estate dates all the way back to the eighth century, while the actual castle is Victorian and was designed by the architect Charles Barry. And, just like in Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle was used as a hospital during World War One. Downton Abbey is being repeated on ITV - see our TV Guide for full listings.

Can you visit Highclere Castle?

Yes, you can visit Highclere. The official website for the castle confirms that it has opened for its Summer season, which runs through until the 16th September 2020. There are also other events on. The Castle closes on Fridays and Saturdays of each week at this time.

How much does it cost to visit Highclere Castle?

Adult price is £24 for Castle, Exhibition and Gardens. There are concessions for certain tickets.

Does Downton Abbey actually exist?

Well, Downton itself is of course fictional but Highclere Castle is very real!

Did Peter Andre and Jordan get married at Highclere?

Peter Andre and Jordan got married at Highclere Castle in 2005. We don't think Lord Grantham attended!

What town is Downton Abbey filmed in?

Downton is meant to be in Yorkshire but the village of Bampton, Oxfordshire actually doubles for Downton village. For example the Crawley House exterior was shot in Bampton.

Which castle was used as Brancaster in Downton Abbey?

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland doubled for Brancaster Castle, which featured in the 2014 Christmas special and the final ever Downton Abbey TV episode which went out on Christmas Day 2015. Hugh Bonneville, who played Lord Grantham, once told TV Times about filming at Alnwick.

He said: “It was the highlight of our year. Because we spend most of our time at Highclere Castle and Ealing Studios, to go somewhere as exotic as Northumberland is great! Highclere is stunning, but Alnwick makes it look like a portakabin! It is splendid.”

Was Harry Potter filmed at Alnwick Castle?

Harry Potter was filmed at Alnwick Castle. It was used for scenes in both Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. So, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey have a clear link!

Can you visit Alnwick Castle?

Yes, it is open this year for visiting until 25th October 2020.

Downton Abbey's final season is being repeated on ITV from Sunday 19th July.

Did you guess the twist? Contains spoilers if you've not seen the first episode!

Laura Carmichael, known to millions of Downton Abbey viewers as posh Lady Edith Crawley, stunned fans with her shocking new role in BBC1 thriller The Secrets She Keeps.

The 33-year-old star told us she wanted to play a psychopath, but Downton fans were surprised to see the actress in a totally different role as heavily pregnant stalker, Agatha, in the Aussie drama.

The six-part thriller sees Agatha becoming obsessed with the glamorous life of pregnant Instagram influencer Meghan (The Crown’s Jessica De Gouw).

“Laura Carmichael very different role like it but she is weird and have an uneasy feeling about this,” tweeted one fan. Another commented: “The Secrets She Keeps - omg I can’t cope.”

Another joked: “Edith out of Downton Abbey has proper fallen from grace.”

Viewers were quickly debating if Agatha was really pregnant or not. And then the sickening twist came - yep, she wasn't pregnant!

MORE: Mrs America on BBC2 - everything you need to know about the Cate Blanchett show

Laura revealed to us that Agatha was just the kind of part she was looking for after playing gentle Lady Edith in Downton Abbey.

“Funnily enough, I’d just been in LA and I was chatting to people over there and they said, ‘What do you want to do next?’ And I was like, ‘I think I’d like to play a psychopath, I think that would be really fun!’

"And then I swear by the time I got off the plane in London the script for this had arrived! In lots of ways Agatha is this dark character, but over the course of the series you learn more about trauma she’s had at various points in her childhood and what leads her to do what she does.”

Laura Carmichael stars in The Secrets She Keeps, which continues on BBC1.

Lorraine Kelly had an unexpected visitor!

Lorraine Kelly was in for a shock when her interview was gatecrashed by actor Kevin McNally today.

The Good Morning Britain presenter was interviewing Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan, when her husband popped in to say hello!

Phyllis was on the programme to talk about the new series of Highland Vet, which she narrates.

But there was an unexpected third guest when her husband and fellow Downton star appeared in the background.

Kevin appeared in the frame in his dressing gown holding two cups of coffee, and joked, "Can you keep it down? I’m trying to sleep."

Lorraine was delighted by the unexpected guest, replying, "Oh, look who it is! How are you, Kevin? It’s so good to see you."

She also didn't miss the opportunity to tease him about his chosen attire, adding, "I love that dressing gown."

Viewers were equally as delighted with Kevin's unexpected appearance.

One fan on Twitter wrote, "Think all interviews should be done like this in the future, makes it more personal."

Another added. "love the dressing gown"

And a third said, "She wasn't expecting that I don't think …"

Highland Vet is a C5 documentary series which follows staff at DS McGregor and Partners.

The series is set in Thurso and Wick, and showcases the work that the veterinary practice does every day.

This includes helping farm animals, horses, domestic pets and wildlife in the local area.

It will air throughout June, with each episode focusing on different cases.

Phyllis and Kevin are both well known for their roles in Downton Abbey, but it's not yet known if there'll be a second film.

But Phyllis teased, "We’d love to do another one, but of course things are so tricky at the moment, there may be moves afoot, but who knows. We’ll find out in due course.

"Fingers crossed it does."

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has opened up about his new show Belgravia.

New show Belgravia hit screens our yesterday evening at 9pm and screenwriter Julian Fellowes has spoken about his new ITV show, revealing that it is "very different" to Downton Abbey.

The actor and writer revealed that one of the biggest differences between his two shows is that, while Downton focuses on how the traditional aristocracy and that general way of life declined during the early 20th century, "the 1840s were the opposite of that".

"Compared to Downton – because obviously people will compare [Belgravia] to Downton – it has a very different energy" said Julian.

"Downton, to a degree, was about the decline of that particular way of life and how it [the estate] was going to have to adjust into the 20th century and these people were going to go and, as Mary says in the film, ‘We’ve already got too few people as it is’."

WHAT IS ON TONIGHT? Check out our NEW and improved TV Guide

Speaking about ITV’s new Belgravia and the storyline and time period that it focuses on, the director continued, "The 1840s were the opposite of that.

"They were the beginning of the boom of Victorianism and it would lead to 1900, when there were more people employed in domestic service than at any time before or since."

Continuing to discuss the era, he continued: "Markets were growing, industry was growing, trade was growing, the Empire was growing, everything was growing, and I think that does create a different feeling to it.

"And [Belgravia character] Charles Pope is only part of that and indeed so is James Trenchard [played by Glenister], that in their different ways, they are part of this expansionism that’s happening wherever you look."

Belgravia started yesterday evening at 9pm, with the six-part show continuing to air once a week.

Watch Belgravia on ITV on Sundays at 9pm or if you miss it look out for it on catch up On ITV Hub. 

Philip Glenister reveals all about his role in ITV period drama Belgravia from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes

Philip Glenister is digging out his top hat and unleashing a spectacular pair of sideburns to star in ITV’s lavish new period drama Belgravia.

Adapted by Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes from his own 2016 novel, the six-part series is set in the 1840s and sees Life on Mars star Philip play James Trenchard, a former market trader who has become a property developer in the wealthy London area of Belgravia.

But the lives of James and his wife Anne (Episodes’ Tamsin Greig) become embroiled with that of wealthy Lady Brockenhurst (Harriet Walter) after a secret from 25 years before returns to haunt them…

We asked Philip Glenister to reveal more about his role in ITV period drama Belgravia…

What was the appeal of Belgravia for you?

Philip Glenister: “It’s strange I tend to do a costume drama every 10 years. And I thought it was time! No, I was very nicely offered it and I read the book. No offence to Julian but it wouldn't normally be the sort of book I would read. But it was a bit of a thriller and a page-turner. I just thought, ‘Wow, this is good!’”

Tell us about James

PG: “James sounds like a cross between Donald Trump and Del Boy! He’s a self-made man from humble beginnings and is keen to become part of high society but he makes an oaf of himself. He’s not ruthless, he’s fair, but not averse to getting on the side of the right people…”

What’s his marriage to Anne like?

PG: “He's married well above his station in many respects. But they do have this bond, they love each other. And James couldn't be the man that he purports to be without Anne by his side. But he has kept a secret that causes a rift.”

Have you had to learn about the period?

PG: “Yes, we had a couple of etiquette guys on set and they were incredibly helpful. They told us how to stand with the top hat, and when you’ve finished eating, where you put your knife and fork. All these little details have been fun."

And are they your own sideburns?!

PG: “I did try growing them but I would have needed about two-and-a-half years! So they made me some. I had them in Life on Mars too. So I’m going to get it in my contract that I have to have big mutton-chops in everything!”

Belgravia begins on Sunday 15 March on ITV at 9pm

We would love this!

Downton Abbey could be coming back to our screens yet again.

The popular historical period drama first graced our television schedules in 2010. Armed with a stream of award-winning cast and crew, including writer Julian Fellowes, Harry Potter icon Maggie Smith and British great Hugh Bonneville, the ITV series won the hearts of the nation and swiftly became a regular instalment on televisions across the country.

After six successful seasons, the show bid farewell to screens back in 2015, with the series finale broadcasting as the programme’s Christmas special.

However, fans couldn’t deal with the absence of the Crawley family and co from their screens, leading to a film being released last year.

The drama hit the big screen with the original cast, including Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern and Maggie Smith, among many others, joining the blockbuster feature.

And one cast member whose heart still seems to be with the Downton Abbey world is Imelda Staunton, who played Maud Bagshaw in the film and is married in real life to Jim Carter, aka Carson.

The former Harry Potter actress, who was recently cast to appear in futures series of Netflix’s The Crown as an older Queen Elizabeth II, revealed that she would love to join the cast for a second film.

Speaking to the Radio Times, she said “of course” she would come back to a sequel film if writer Julian Fellowes constructed another script, adding that she would have to “see if there’s room for that character to come back”.

The actress also added that Downton Abbey “was a very nice job to do,” adding, “it’s a woman with a nice arc, and a backstory that wasn’t just a woman in a tiara and a long dress”.

Speaking about the role, she continued, “I’ve worked with Maggie [Smith, who plays Lady Violet Crawley] before and I’ve worked with Penelope Wilton [Isobel Crawley] before so you know, we know each other well”.

Does this mean there’ll be a sequel on the cards some time soon…

Christmas is here and all through Nonnatus House… sweeps a bout of the flu! Actress Helen George reveals more about Call the Midwife's festive special...

There's little in the way of festive cheer at the start of this year's Call the Midwife Christmas special reveals star Helen George, aka Trixie - as most of Nonnatus House are laid up with the flu!

Sister Julienne, Nurse Crane and midwives Trixie, Valerie and Lucille long to remain tucked up in their beds. But it seems Mother Mildred (Miriam Margolyes) has other ideas when she declares that God's calling her to set up a branch house… on the Outer Hebrides!

"Mother Mildred hears there's a community in need," explains Helen George, who plays Nurse Trixie Franklin. "The local midwife and doctor got married and both went to mainland Scotland, leaving the community with no medical provisions. So the nuns and midwives go to lend a hand.

"They’re expecting to be put up in nice digs but it turns out to be just a room in an old church – with no heating!"

Sister Monica Joan associates the Outer Hebrides with St Eustace’s White Stag, a symbol of Christ, and wants to see one. So she’s annoyed to discover she’s being left behind and comes up with a cunning plan…

"Sister Monica Joan goes on a beautiful, spiritual journey," teases Helen.

MORE: The best Christmas films this festive season and when they’re on

As the team – plus Dr Turner, Shelagh and handyman Fred – go about setting up an antenatal clinic, they must battle not only the cold weather and bleak terrain but also a flock of runaway sheep and hostility from certain locals...

But how did the cast themselves cope in their new surroundings up in Scotland?

"It was VERY cold up there but it really was the most beautiful place," Helen says of filming on the Outer Hebrides. "We stayed in an amazing castle and enjoyed the most wonderful dinners altogether, so we were very spoilt. It was all a bit Downton Abbey!"

The Call the Midwife Christmas Special airs at 7pm on Christmas Day on BBC1.

Cara Theobold, who was kitchen maid Ivy in Downton Abbey, stars in ITV2’s new comedy-horror Zomboat!, set on Birmingham’s canals

Former Downton Abbey star Cara Theobold turns action hero and zombie slayer in ITV2’s new comedy-horror, Zomboat!

Set in Birmingham, the six-part series follows two squabbling sisters, Jo (Cara) and her younger sister, Kat (Leah Brotherhead), as they frantically try to flee the city… on board a narrowboat!

In the first episode, club rep Jo is home from Magaluf and has moved in with Kat (Leah Brotherhead), who’s an expert in zombie video games.

But when the sisters wake up to real wild-eyed, flesh-eaters on the street – plus one in Jo’s bed after a one-night stand – they realise a zombie apocalypse has hit Birmingham and they must escape the city immediately.

Here, Cara Theobold, 29, tells us all about Zomboat! and why she can’t wait to watch the Downton Abbey film…

What can you tell us about Jo?

CT: “She has a tumultuous relationship with her sister, Kat. It’s that type of sisterly bond where they obviously love each other, but they also can’t stand each other. However, they both have unique skill sets, which make a pretty good team.”

How do they handle the zombie apocalypse?

CT: “Kat is a bit of a know-it-all when it comes to the undead, yet when it comes to killing them, she hits them with a rolling pin and then apologises! It’s very funny. Jo on the other hand, has a fiery temper and isn’t afraid to smash up a few zombies. But together they come up with a plan to escape on Jo’s ex-boyfriend’s narrowboat.”

WHAT IS ON TONIGHT? Check out our NEW and Improved TV Guide

They find two stowaways on board – gym lover Amar (Ryan McKen) and his lazy friend Sunny (Hamza Jeetooa). Do they join forces?

CT: “Yes, but this particular gang is not exactly well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse. They need to learn how to drive the boat, plus they don’t think about food, weapons or supplies.”

The series is also packed with meta-references to popular zombie films and TV series, including The Walking Dead and George A. Romero’s Living Dead franchise…

CT: “Yes, it pays homage to all the zombie classics and hopefully fans of the genre will appreciate that. But the show feels fresh and unique, especially as it’s mostly set on canals. Even if you’re not a zombie fan, hopefully you’ll like it because it’s funny.”

It’s also pretty terrifying, and not to mention gory!

CT: “There were definitely scary moments during filming when the zombies, with their bloodshot eyes, were coming for me. Also, I was always absolutely covered in fake blood and gore. It’s actually quite difficult to keep a straight face while a big bucket of fake blood is being thrown at you!”

MORE: Cara Theobold: 'We do a lot of kicking ass in Crazyhead!'

This is a far cry from playing Ivy Stuart in Downton Abbey! Have you consciously picked roles that were extremely different?

CT: “I love variety; it’s what keeps me excited. I’ve been lucky enough to do period dramas, comedy, modern gritty pieces and also some American work. I like playing different types of characters and telling different stories.”

Were you disappointed not to be asked back for the Downton film?

CT: “Well, Ivy moved to America so she's busy there. I can't wait to see it, though. I'm sure they've done amazing job. It's just such a wonderful world that people love to escape into, and fans genuinely love the characters. Why wouldn't we want to see more of them?”

Lastly, how do you think you’d deal with a zombie apocalypse?

CT: “I'm a fast runner, quite resourceful and good in a crisis, so I think I’d do OK. But zombies are terrifying and kind of gross, so if I saw one, all my good skills might go out the window!”

Zomboat! airs on ITV2 on Tuesday at 10pm.

While we wait a couple more months for Apple TV+ to debut, iTunes has a sale on complete TV series to help you binge away the time 'til then. With some series starting at just $19.99, this is a fantastic way to add a favorite show to your library or finally check out a show you've been meaning to watch. Some of these series regularly sell for upwards of $100, and a few of them are rarely discounted this low.

One must-watch series for sci-fi fans, Fringe , just reached its lowest price yet at just $29.99, and that's a price that even this deal hunter isn't going to turn down. You'll also find the complete series of Downton Abbey and House for the same price, Friday Night Lights for $24.99, and Mad Men for $19.99.

With Scooby-Doo celebrating his 50th anniversary last week, you'll also find a bunch of Scooby shows on sale including the original Scooby-Doo Where Are You? for $24.99.

Other series on sale today include:

• Dexter - $29.99
• The West Wing - $29.99
• Chuck - $29.99
• The Vampire Diaries - $29.99
• Gossip Girl - $29.99
• The Good Wife - $29.99
• Weeds - $19.99

There are even more complete series discounted at iTunes today, so be sure to view the full sale before these prices return to normal.

A Canadian drama stars Anna Paquin as dedicated but damaged cop Annie Ryder

Bellevue is the small town where Annie (Anna Paquin) was born and raised and where she followed in her dad’s footsteps to become a police officer. In this opening episode Annie investigates the disappearance of a teenager, which has some strange and spooky links to her own troubled past.

All eight episodes are available now on catch-up service My5.

‘Annie is quite a damaged person and has had a lot of trauma in her life,’ explains Anna Paquin, who plays her. ‘She’s living in a way that is quite reckless. That makes her great at her job, but it’s not a stable existence.’

MORE: Big Little Lies – Sky Atlantic

The eight-parter follows Annie’s investigation into the disappearance of a local trans teenager, Jesse (Sadie O’Neil), in the small town of Bellevue, while the reasons for Annie’s trauma are revealed to be deeply personal.

‘Her dad had been the chief of police years ago and had committed suicide when she was a small child because he couldn’t solve the murder of a local teenager – it basically drove him insane,’ says Paquin.

Sinister

After her father’s death, the young Annie received a series of puzzling letters from someone posing as her dad.

Now, with this new case, the riddles begin again. ‘There seems to be a connection between the unsolved murder from years ago and Jesse’s disappearance,’ says Paquin.

Meanwhile, Annie’s life is also complicated by her relationship with on-off partner Eddie (Allen Leech, Downton Abbey), the father of her daughter Daisy.

After winning an Oscar in 1994 at the age of 11 for her role in The Piano, Paquin went on to star in the vampire drama series True Blood as Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress with fairy blood.

Significant

In the five years since the series ended, the 36-year-old has starred in Alias Grace and Flack, but she still regards True Blood as a watershed moment in her career.

‘True Blood changed everything for me,’ she reveals. ‘I was just 25 when the job started, and I was 32 and married [to co-star Stephen Moyer] with two children by the time it ended.

‘Also, because the show was so intense, weird and crazy, the cast and crew have remained super-close even after it ended. It was life-changing in so many wonderful ways.’

TV Times Rating ****

Tom Bateman spills the beans about ITV’s action-packed India-set period drama Beecham House...

The vibrancy, romance and political tensions of late 18^th century India are brought to life in ITV’s sumptuous period drama Beecham House.

Set in 1795, the series, created by Bend it Like Beckham's Gurinder Chadha, centres on enigmatic John Beecham (Vanity Fair star Tom Bateman), a one-time soldier who wants to start a new life at his Delhi mansion Beecham House and become an independent trader. But he faces obstacles due to bitter local rivalries and his arrival with a mixed race baby, August, sparks gossip.

Here Tom Bateman reveals all to TV Times about his role in Beecham House…

TV Times: Tell us about John

Tom Bateman: “He’s fascinating. In India then, there was tension from foreign nations taking over. It was like the Wild West, there were no rules. John wants fair trade instead of abuse of power, but he needs a trade licence and there’s opposition. It’s not an easy road.”

More: First look! Strike star Holliday Grainger in her big new BBC1 thriller

TVT: His personal life causes ructions though doesn’t it?

TB: “Yes there’s darkness, secrets and lies but at heart he’s a good man. He’s drawn to Margaret Osborne [an English governess played by Dakota Blue Richards], because she’s independent and forward-thinking. But John’s secrets impact on their relationship because he has turned up with this baby and people wonder, ‘Where is the mother?’”

TVT: The exteriors were shot in India, what was it like filming there?

TB: “Exciting! We even filmed at the Taj Mahal. One of the Indian actresses said that filming in India is like guerrilla warfare, you just turn up and shoot. Someone would say, ‘It’d be good to get a shot from that cliff,’ and two minutes later a dude would strap a camera to his back and be climbing up a mountain.”

TVT: How did you deal with the heat?

TB: “We got treated well. As soon as we said we were hot we’d have ice packs strapped to our head and cold flannels. But for once, the men have it worse than women in terms of costume because they had dresses but I had boots, trousers and a big coat.”

TVT: Are there lots of stunts?

TB: “Yes, John can take care of himself. Within two seconds, you’ll think, ‘This isn’t Downton Abbey!’ Although ‘Downton in Delhi’ is a great headline! There’s a lot of pounding through the countryside on horseback and guns and swords being drawn. The crew said, ‘We have a stuntman.’ But I said, ‘No I want to gallop over that hill!’”

Beecham House airs on Sunday 23 June and Monday 24 June at 9pm on ITV

As Ackley Bridge's new staffers, Rob James-Collier and Charlie Hardwick talk about the joys of going back to school…

As Ackley Bridge opens its doors for a new term, eagle-eyed viewers will notice some new faces among the teaching staff. Downton Abbey actor Rob James-Collier plays new deputy headteacher Martin Evershed. He’s joined by Charlie Hardwick – best known as Emmerdale's Val Pollard – as ‘director of behaviour’ Sue Carp.

After original school sponsor Sadiq Nawaz lost all his money last series, against her better judgement, head teacher Mandy Carter (Jo Joyner) has had to sign the school over to The Valley Trust to save it. And Martin and Sue have been brought in to whip the pupils into shape. But are they really the ones to help take Ackley Bridge forward?

TV Times is on set in Halifax to meet Rob, 42, and Charlie, 58, to find out more about the new Ackley Bridge recruits…

Rob, tell us about your character Martin Evershed…

Rob: "Martin’s incredibly passionate about teaching English but he’s not necessarily passionate about the bureaucracy, admin and politics that comes with it. Martin doesn’t care about rules and procedures; he’ll do unorthodox things like play classical music full blast with the blinds down and lights off to get the kids dancing. I wouldn’t say he’s a maverick in that he’s trying to undermine the system or anything, he just wants to do things his way because he knows that’s the best way to reach the kids."

More: First look of Mackenzie Crook as Worzel Gummidge

And, Charlie, what’s Sue Carp like?

Charlie: "Sue’s horrible! She’s beleaguered, disillusioned, feels she’s worthless and won’t be able to retire until she’s 67. She doesn’t do anything that requires much energy. Sue’s also a casual racist. She’ll say something awful and then add: ‘No offence’. If viewers don’t like Sue and are quite horrified at her attitude, that’s fine by me!"

What does Mandy make of them both?

Rob: "Well, Mandy’s been promised these two teachers, who are really good apparently. But then she finds one, Sue, falling asleep at school and the other, Martin, locking parents in classrooms! So she’s wondering: ‘What have the Trust landed me with here?’ She feels she’s been lied to and has been sent the worst of the worst! But, over time, when it comes to Martin at least, Mandy sees his methods are different and realises it’s coming from the right place."

Are you enjoying working with the young actors on this show?

Rob: "None of these kids knew who I was and I love that. These young adults don’t care who you are, what you’ve done or whether you’ve been to LA or not. All they care about is whether you’re a good lad. I was ‘certified’ Level 5 on day one by young Zain Khan, who plays Zain Younis in the show, which means I’m a top bloke!

"I do like acting with these young adults. They’re great at bringing the energy we lose when we’re older. It’s good to be reminded of what we once had and possibly once were." Charlie: "I love it. I like being around kids and, unlike Sue, I think they’re fun. So I have fun at work – but then put my drained face on to film a scene! It enlivens you when you’re around young people. I did teen drama Byker Grove years ago. I played youth leader Sian but I started off playing the mother of Duncan – better known as Declan Donnelly. Did Ant and Dec give me any cheek? Nah! They were as good as gold. Especially Dec, he’s a little goody two shoes!"

Ackley Bridge starts on Tuesday June 18 at 8pm on Channel 4.

ITV has announced today that a brand new six-part series has been commissioned and filming starts this spring...

ITV has announced that an adaptation of Julian Fellowes' Belgravia has been commissioned by the channel.

ITV's Head Of Drama, Polly Hill, has confirmed that Belgravia will be shown in six parts and produced by Carnival Films - the team behind the hugely successful Sunday night drama, Downton Abbey.

Belgravia reunites Carnival’s Gareth Neame executive producing alongside Nigel Marchant, Liz Trubridge and Julian Fellowes. John Alexander (Sense & Sensibility) will direct the limited series with Colin Wratten (Killing Eve) producing. 

Filming is set to begin in spring this year, and while the casting is underway we are yet to hear who will be taking on the lead roles.

Belgravia is a story about the secrets and dishonour of London society in the 19th Century and has been adapted from Julian Fellowes' bestselling novel.

The story will focus on the Trenchards, who accept an invitation to the now-legendary ball hosted by the Duchess of Richmond on the fateful evening of the Battle of Waterloo.

But the drama that unfolds sets in motion a series of events that will have consequences for decades to come as secrets unravel behind the porticoed doors of London’s grandest postcode.

Polly Hill said today: "We're delighted to be reuniting with Julian Fellowes, Gareth Neame and Carnival Films to produce Belgravia for ITV.

It's a tale of scandal and intrigue set in 1840s London with some wonderful characters spanning two generations at its heart."

While Gareth Neame revealed: "It’s fantastic to be working again with Julian, a master storyteller. In Belgravia he has painted a wonderful backdrop of 19^th century society against which intrigue and dynastic power struggles will play out.

"We are delighted to be partnering with ITV once again and look forward to working with EPIX to introduce US audiences to this fantastic event series."

Picture credits: ITV and Press Association Images

The hugely-anticipated Downton Abbey movie is currently being filmed, and actress Phyllis Logan has revealed all the insider secrets from the set.

Downton Abbey fans were left in mourning when the final episode of the long-running series was screened on Christmas Day in 2015. But thankfully there is a much-longed for feature film being shot as we speak, and actress Phyllis Logan, who is better known as Mrs Hughes, has revealed what we can expect from the next instalment of the Downton story.

The 62-year-old star appeared on ITV lunchtime show Loose Women today to talk about reprising her role as the loveable Mrs Hughes, who by the sixth and final series of the drama has married butler Charles Carson, in a wedding ceremony that delighted fans.

Speaking of what it was like getting the former cast back together, Phyllis revealed: "It hadn't been too long - we try to have a Downton Abbey reunion. But to be back on the set, to be up there at the castle, it was just amazing."

But don't expect the film to pick up where the last series ended. Avid Downton Abbey fans will know that some of the series jumped a few years from where one finished and the next started, and the same can be said for the film...

"We've gone on a couple of years, but that's all, not any more," revealed the actress.

While there are plenty of the familiar faces coming back for the film, Phyllis confirmed that there won't be any surprise returns.

When asked by Loose Women panellist Jane Moore whether fan favourite Matthew Crawley would be coming back from the dead, the actress joked: "Yes, he comes back as the ghost of Christmas past... no. Sadly he's still dead!"

With Downton Abbey fans waiting with baited breath to see what new drama the film will bring, it looks like we could have a bit of a wait on our hands with the new release not hitting cinemas until September next year. Phyllis also confirmed that while she had finished filming her scenes, there were still a few more days before the whole film wrapped.

Main pic: PA; Downton filming pic: Joan Wakeham/REX/Shutterstock; Matthew grave: Joan Wakeham/REX/Shutterstock

Downton Abbey star Matthew Goode on playing a suave vampire in A Discovery of Witches

Fans of Deborah Harkness’ popular All Souls trilogy of books will already know that A Discovery of Witches is the story of an exceptionally powerful witch, Diana Bishop, who tries not to use her magic and wants to focus on her academic career instead.

But when Diana innocently asks for a book at Oxford’s Bodleian Library she doesn’t realise it’s bewitched, and soon finds herself face to face with all sorts of "creatures", including a handsome vampire, Matthew Clairmont, played by Matthew Goode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPa_fqwelCg

Taking a break from blood-sucking, here Downton Abbey and The Crown star Matthew Goode, 40, tells us more about Sky1’s A Discovery of Witches

What is Matthew like?

Matthew Goode: "He’s a 1,500-year-old vampire so he’s seen a lot! He’s been through quite a bit, he lost a son, which he never forgives himself for, and he gets quite excitable and has to keep himself in check. He’s quite a noble character and he means well."

How does he meet Diana?

MG: "There’s a book called the Ashmole 782. It’s an enchanted manuscript, a bit like the Holy Grail. Initially he sees Diana [played by Australian film star Teresa Palmer] to find out where the book is, but then they start to learn a bit about each other and sparks fly."

Is it them against the world?

MG: "It’s a forbidden love story – there’s a council of three witches, three demons and three vampires, and hundreds of years ago they made a pact that nobody can fall in love with someone from another species. You can’t have a vampire and a witch together… or can you?"

How was filming in Oxford?

MG: "We’ve been there a lot. It’s beautiful and at the centre of the story. We also have the most extraordinary set in Cardiff, with an exact replica of the Bodleian… That’s where all the money’s gone!"

You play a modern vampire without the stereotypical cape or fangs – but it must still be an odd experience as an actor?

MG: "Yes, he’s well-dressed because he’s trying to be inconspicuous. He feeds on stags, so I was just filming with a stag head on a metal pole. I really hope some special effects are added afterwards, otherwise it will look very weird!"

A Discovery of Witches starts on Sky1 tonight at 9pm.

Downton Abbey actor Allen Leach and Romanian actress Anca Dumitra have signed up to star in a TV drama about slavery in modern Britain.

Downton Abbey actor Allen Leech and Romanian actress Anca Dumitra have signed up to star in a TV drama about slavery in modern Britain.

Ana, a young Romanian woman snatched in broad daylight from a London street, will be played by Dumitra, and Leech will appear as the police investigator.

Ana is trafficked to Ireland and used as a sex slave in a series of “pop up” brothels in the true story, Doing Money.

Dumitra said of the BBC Two drama: “Ana is a truly remarkable person, someone who has survived endless abuse with courage and determination, a real-life hero.

“I have been deeply moved by her story and it’s an honour to play her.”

Leech, who played Tom Branson in period drama Downton, said: “Ana’s experience shines a light on the shocking truth of human trafficking and slavery in Britain.

“DI Dougie Grant was one of the key officers at the centre of the original investigation. It’s a real privilege to play him.”

The one-off drama was penned by Gwyneth Hughes.

Downton and Corrie star Rob James Collier talks Downton the movie, which he hopes will go out next year (!), and what it’s like to play a cad in his latest TV role.

Rob James Collier talks to Soaplife about Downton Abbey the movie, and what it’s like to play a cad in his latest TV role...

Soaplife: What have you been up to Rob?

Rob James Collier: “At the minute, there’s a film I’m attached to but I’m not allowed to say as I’ll get sued and all that! The Downtown movie is also hopefully going out next year. And there’s a couple of projects of my own I’m trying to get off the ground.”

Downton Abbey the movie could be on for next year!

S: We hear you’re starring in the new Sky Arts comedy-drama series, Urban Myths.

RJC: “Yes. I’m in an episode exploring crime writing legend Agatha Christie’s 11-day disappearance in 1926. The story gripped the nation and other famous crime writers of the time, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Dorothy L Sayers, were drafted in to help the search for her.”

S: Who do you play?

RJC: “I play Agatha’s husband, Archie. He’s a bit of a cad, which is what attracted me to the role. He’s Colonel Archie and he has a military background. But, of course, he’s having an affair at the time.”

S: So he’s a total scoundrel.

RJC: “Yes! He’s very duplicitous, but he really doesn’t care and everything is done with a smile on his face. He’s got an easy charm and he doesn’t have any regrets about what he’s doing. He’s great to play.”

S: So he’s not fussed she’s gone missing and he might be suspected of killing her?

RJC: “No, not really. He’s more concerned about getting the divorce papers signed. He’s heartless! That’s his main thing: to get the divorce papers signed and get 50 per cent of everything she’s got, then live happily ever after with my younger woman!”

S: Why do you think this period of Christie’s life is so fascinating?

RJC: “To run away from your husband for 11 days was quite a brave thing to do in that period. But Christie was a woman who was way ahead of her time. Firstly, she was the main bread winner in the marriage and, secondly, she was powerful in the male-dominated world of books.”

S: Why do you think she ran away?

RJC: “We suggest she ran away to force Archie to follow her so she could make him make him realise he really did love her.”

S: Have you enjoyed going back to the 1920s?

RJC: “Oh yes. It’s always nice to get dressed up in period clothing, particularly the finer robes of the upper classes. The cast is fantastic, too, so to be part of this ensemble was another thing that attracted me.”

Urban Myths: Agatha Christie is being shown on Sky Arts on Thursday 17th May at 9pm.

Former Downton Abbey actor Brendan Coyle on the thrills and chills in store in new drama Requiem

Spooky goings-on are the order of the day in BBC1’s powerful six-part supernatural chiller Requiem. It sees Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle play Stephen Kendrick, a retired cop who led the investigation into the disappearance of a little girl named Carys Howell from a Welsh village in 1994.

In the present day, cellist Matilda Grey (Lydia Wilson) turns up in the village of Penllynith wanting answers about photos her late mother had, which seem to be connected to the case.

Here, Brendan Coyle tells TV Times about his role in Requiem…

TV Times: Tell us about Kendrick

Brendan Coyle: “Kendrick was the chief investigating officer on the Carys Howell case and he retired soon after but stayed in the community. He has a son in the latter stages of a terminal illness and that’s why he stayed but there’s more to it. He’s close to Carys’ mother Rose [Claire Rushbrook] and there’s something about being at the scene of the crime that compels him to remain. He brings an integrity to the piece, it would seem…”

TVT: How does Matilda’s arrival impact on Penllynith?

BC: “She is met with hostility and clashes with everybody because they are trying to restructure their lives and carry on. Carys’ disappearance is a scar that doesn't go away and still has a devastating effect. Others though see Matilda’s arrival [pictured below] as a potential to reach resolution but that resolution is unexpected. Even Kendrick sought an outcome to the case that’s not what you’d think.”

TVT: What makes Requiem different from other horror or supernatural dramas?

BC: “The gloves really come off later on and it plays with things. Horror and the supernatural don’t appeal to me but this is intelligent, restrained and interesting. It weaves a subtle magic.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6XYj8bLUIo

TVT: There are lots of twists and turn; did you guess how everything panned out?

BC: “There were so many theories going around set! We didn’t get the last two episodes until later on, so we were drip-fed information about the final conclusion. It’s very gripping and there are amazing plot twists so I was constantly surprised. There’s so much I can’t say!”

TVT: This is hugely different from Downton, was that part of the appeal?

BC: “It’s hugely different to everything I’ve done, which is exciting. I am in touch with a couple of people from Downton still but at the end of everything you film, you go, ‘I love you, you’re amazing.’ Then you don’t see them for seven years. It’s the way it goes.”

Requiem begins on Friday 2nd February at 9pm