For the love of Maggie Smith! Downton Abbey cast reuniting for movie

Downton Abbey was one of the most loved period dramas on TV through all six of its seasons, with many fans left devastated when they had to say a final farewell to the Crawley family.

But now it’s been confirmed all of the original principal cast will reunite to film a new movie, with production set to start within just a few months.

Actress Joanne Froggatt, who plays Anna Bates in the hit ITV series, shared a photo with actress Michelle Dockery (who plays Lady Mary), and Dame Maggie Smith who famously acts out the role of the Dowager on the show, showing them all laughing together behind the scenes.

She wrote: “Delighted to announce we’re getting the band back together! #DowntonMovie #DowntonAbbey.”

https://twitter.com/JoFroggatt/status/1017759318270234624

The new movie is written by the show’s creator Julian Fellowes, who penned the original TV series, and is set to start production towards the end of the British summer – within the next few months. Meanwhile, Fellowes will team up with director Brian Percival on the new movie.

Dockery also shared her own excitement over the film on social media, and shared a photo of her character alongside on-screen sister Lady Edith Crawley, played by actress Laura Carmichael. She wrote: “The secret’s out… thrilled to announce that Downton Abbey is coming to the big screen.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlLEiPVB0ix/?hl=en&taken-by=theladydockers

The TV series won three Golden Globes and 15 Emmys from 69 nominations during its run, and its huge success right across the world has been credited for starting a new love of period dramas.

Read more: Johanna Griggs recalls Maggie Smith’s furious outburst on Downton Abbey set

Maggie Smith previously appeared to dismiss any chance of her character appearing in a film, and told UK TV presenter Graham Norton in 2015: “By the time we finished, she must have been about 110. It couldn’t go on and on, it just didn’t make sense.”

However, she’s confirmed to be part of the upcoming production, with scenes expected to continue from 1926 – the year after the last TV episode.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlLE0vpDqAh/?hl=en&taken-by=jofroggatt

“When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production,” producer Gareth Neame said in a statement.

“Julian’s script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival’s hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen”.

Are you a fan of Downton Abbey? Are you excited about the upcoming movie?