‘Downton’ creator Julian Fellowes and star Elizabeth McGovern reunite for new period drama

The writer and one of the stars of Downton Abbey have teamed up again with a new movie set in the 1920’s.

American actress Elizabeth McGovern, best known as Lady Cora Grantham in Downton, will lead the cast of The Chaperone.

The first ever ever feature film from Masterpiece on PBS has been adapted from Laura Moriarty’s best-selling American novel by Downton creator Julian Fellowes.

Fellowes commented: “I am absolutely delighted to be working with Masterpiece and Elizabeth McGovern on The Chaperone, based on Laura Moriarty’s novel, which is captivating and beguiling and resonant in so many ways.”

McGovern is also a producer on the film and, having optioned the novel, worked with Fellowes to adapt the story.

The official synopsis reads: “A Kansas woman (Elizabeth McGovern) is forever changed when she chaperones a beautiful and talented 15-year-old dancer (Split star Haley Lu Richardson) named Louise Brooks to New York for the summer. One of them is eager to fulfill her destiny of dance and movie stardom; the other is on a mission to unearth the mysteries of her past.”

The Chaperone has its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on 23 September and will air on Masterpiece on PBS at a later date.

Downton Abbey: The Complete Collection is available to buy now.

Filming on the Downton Abbey movie is set to begin “any minute now.”