The last film in the Downton Abbey franchise will be released in cinemas later this year – and fans are already preparing to say goodbye to the much-loved period drama
The third instalment of the Downton Abbey film series is set to hit cinemas this year. Previously thought to be the final chapter, the official title of the movie now confirms it: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
Slated for release on September 12, it seems unlikely that there will be any more unexpected comebacks in the future. Julian Fellowes, the writer behind the new film, brings back many familiar faces from the franchise, including Michelle Dockery, who features in the first poster of the film.
The poster, shared on the official Downton Abbey social media pages, shows Michelle Dockery reprising her role as Lady Mary, clad in a red dress and strolling down a lavish corridor.
Joining Dockery in the cast are Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton and Lesley Nicol.
In addition, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera, Douglas Reith and Dominic West are all set to return, with fresh faces including Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan joining the cast.
Interestingly, Giamatti has previously graced Downton Abbey, albeit not in any of the films – he made an appearance in a single episode of the series as Harold Levinson.
Dockery recently shared her excitement about reuniting with him in an interview with Collider: “Working with Paul]Giamatti] again was wonderful.
He’s so much fun. And because he was already part of the family, it was lovely to have him back on set, so I’m really excited to see the final film”.
On the other hand, Giamatti himself recently revealed to Entertainment Weekly: “I do something quite important in this]movie]. I was like, wow, this is random, I have a lot to do with the end of this whole series. I do something of real significance – good or bad, I’m not going to say! But, I do something that makes a big difference to how everything ends”.
Fans shared their response, with many sharing sad emojis. One said: “This makes me glad and sad at the same time”!
Another person wrote: “This is going to wreck me, I just know it”, while a third added: “I can’t say goodbye”.
Others also shared concern about the storyline, one commenting: “Goodbye? Why? I hope the series doesn’t end on a horrible note e. g. with the family selling the estate”.
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