‘Downton Abbey’ sequel to kill off iconic character

A popular Downton Abbey character will be killed off in Downton Abbey’s highly-anticipated sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era, The Sun reports.

It’s not clear who’ll be written out, but the British tabloid reported that a source said writer Julian Fellowes “has made this death so poignant”.

The source added: “Those who have seen the scenes said they are so emotional. They really will leave fans in floods. It’s heartbreak at Highclere Castle and there won’t be a dry eye in cinemas.”

The news comes a day after it was revealed that the sequel to 2019’s Downton Abbey movie would be titled Downton Abbey: A New Era. The film, which was originally planned for Christmas, has also been pushed back to March 18 next year.

Cast members such as Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and more will return for the second film.

A new era begins. The entire Downton cast is back for #DowntonAbbey: A New Era, with Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West joining. See the film only in theaters March 18, 2022. pic.twitter.com/7w42WOMTl0

— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) August 26, 2021

Fans of the popular series were thrilled with the news, with Twitter user @chrisscostello writing: “I just finished the series and the movie! Absolutely loved it! This is awesome news!” Meanwhile @VIVandJohn added: “What wonderful news!” And wrote: “I’m so excited.”

The show officially announced it would be returning for a sequel in April this year. It made the announcement via Facebook at the time, writing, “We’re thrilled to announce that Julian Fellowes and the entire Downton Abbey cast are back for #DowntonAbbey2, with Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West joining! See the film in theatres this Christmas.”

Following the first movie’s success — it reached number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the US — there was talk that a sequel was in the works. “We’re working on what the story is, and when we might be able to make it,” Gareth Neame, the movie’s executive producer, told The Hollywood Reporter in 2019. “But it’s the same as the first time around: we have to try to get everyone back together again. And that was very challenging.”

The first Downton Abbey movie was released in cinemas across Australia on September 12, 2019. Set in 1926 – one year after the final episode – the movie picked up where the television series left off. It’s not clear where the sequel will pick up from, but we’re looking forward to it!