'Downton Abbey' to Have 'Final' Third Film, Imelda Staunton Says
Downton Abbey is coming back for a third and final film, according to Imelda Staunton!
On Wednesday, the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix actress, 68, broke the news of another installment in the franchise, which is already a spinoff of the massively popular ITV/PBS television series. Staunton starred in the first two films as Queen Mary’s lady-in-waiting, Lady Maud Bagshaw.
"There will be the final film. There you go," Staunton said during the episode.
Imelda Staunton (middle) in the 2022 'Downton Abbey' film
The show's host, Zoe Ball, who was seemingly shocked by the actress' candor, followed up and asked if her spilling the tea about another film is something she is allowed to be sharing.
"Wow, that’s pretty huge. I hope we haven’t got you in trouble," Ball said.
"I don't care," retorted Staunton, who is currently starring in Hello, Dolly! in London's West End.
According to The Sun, the film will begin filming in the summer and will premiere in early 2025. The outlet also reports that studio bosses have enlisted Paul Giamatti to reprise his role as Harold Levinson, the brother of Cora Crawley, who is played by Elizabeth McGovern. Giamatti, 56, previously appeared in the Downton Abbey Christmas special at the end of season 4.
The show ended in 2015 after six seasons but fans begged the cast and crew to come back for more, resulting in the 2019 and 2022 films. According to Box Office Mojo, Downton Abbey: A New Era made $93 million worldwide, while the original movie made $195 million in 2019.
Ahead of the release of A New Era, ET spoke with the cast, who all expressed interest in returning to early 1900s England for another film.
"It seemed like a very fitting way to end but the audience has an appetite for it! So it’s driving the writers to step up," Kevin Doyle said.
"I mean, it feels like as long as there’s an appetite out there," Michelle Dockery noted. "The audience seems to just keep wanting to see more of Downton."
She added, "I love doing it and I love playing Mary, so we’ll see."
RELATED CONTENT:
Michelle Dockery Says She's 'Excited' for Her Wedding at 'Downton Abbey: A New Era' Premiere (Exclusive)
'Downton Abbey' Star Hugh Bonneville Splits from Wife After 25 Years
Michelle Dockery Marries Pheobe Waller-Bridge's Brother Jasper: PIC
How to Watch 'Downton Abbey: A New Era' Online — Now Streaming
