It's no secret that viewers of "Downton Abbey" are longing to see the cast back together on the screen now that the show has officially bowed out of television. Reports of a "Downton Abbey" movie are still rife, perhaps because creator Julian Fellowes didn't shot down the possibility of it happening. So, what's going on with the movie's production now?
Laura Carmichael, who played Lady Edith on the show, recently spoke to the press to say that she has been missing her former cast members. "We miss each other, but we still keep in touch," the actress said, per Belfast Telegraph. She believes Fellowes is determined to write the "Downtown Abbey" movie. "We'd love to do [the movie], so we'll see," she added.
Tom Cullen, who played Lady Mary's suitor Lord Gillingham, said that while everyone is waiting to hear about the film, it might do the cast and crew some good to take the time off before jumping back to the swing of things. But he believes everyone will be up for a "Downton Abbey" movie, including the viewers. "I think it would be a very nice way to finish it off," Cullen told E! Online.
Mirror reports that the movie's production is expected to begin next year with every main cast member committed to returning, minus Dame Maggie Smith. Her character, the Countess of Grantham, should already be considered dead in the post-television story due to her age.
A source revealed that the "Downton Abbey" movie is currently looking to get funding for the production. "There is a timeline in place - even though everyone is staying quiet about it for now. The film should be ready in time for Christmas 2018," the insider said.
Although, there might be one minor hitch as Fellowes' time will be tight before production even begins. He has commitments to the new TV series "Gilded Age" for NBC. However, the creator assures fans that the "Downton Abbey" movie has a good chance of rolling. "I'm very pro-movie. I think there's a very good shot," said Fellowes in the report.
