‘Downton Abbey’ star gives sequel filming update: ‘We are desperate to do it’

Hugh Bonneville has given fans an update on what’s happening with the second Downton Abbey movie.

Based on ITV’s hit period drama series, the first Downton Abbey film was released in 2019, when it topped the box office in the UK and the US.

A sequel was being talked about before the first movie had even hit cinemas, and last autumn Downton star Jim Carter revealed that the script is now complete.

The Mr Carson actor described the script as “very funny” and confirmed that “all the regular characters” will appear.

Plot details for the sequel are still a mystery, but we do know that the producers have been considering setting part of the sequel in America, while the fate of the Dowager Countess might not be as final as it appeared.

The plan had been to begin shooting the new movie this year, but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made it hard to schedule filming with any certainty.

Speaking on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 last Friday, actor Hugh Bonneville gave listeners an update: “It’s the usual thing. The planets are circling. They are beginning to get into alignment.”

He added: “There is a thing called coronavirus knocking around and until that is under control in a sensible way, we are not going to be able to get all those ducks in a row. Mixing my metaphors here.

“But there is certainly the intention to do it. We would love to do it. We are desperate to do it.”

Bonneville, who played Lord Grantham in every episode of Downton and the first film, has been volunteering at a Covid-19 vaccination hub in West Sussex, England.

Discussing the anticipation for a sequel to the Downton Abbey movie, he commented: “I think it’s the sort of pleasurable release of a movie like the first one was, that audiences would enjoy after all of this mess we have been through.”

The 57-year-old actor can be seen as author Roald Dahl in new period drama movie To Olivia soon, ahead of starring in an adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s The Amazing Maurice.

Downton Abbey: The Complete Collection box set is available on DVD on Amazon.