Downton Abbey film could be a prequel with a brand new cast, says Julian Fellowes

The show's creator is unsure if he can get all of the original stars back together 
Cast change? Julian Fellowes says the Downton Abbey film could be a prequel
Dave Benett
Jennifer Ruby7 July 2017
The Weekender

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The forthcoming Downton Abbey film could be a prequel to the television series and feature a brand new cast.

According to creator Julian Fellowes, the eagerly-awaited big screen spin-off of the hit ITV period drama might be set years before the first series began.

The writer and director of the award-winning show admitted that it has been difficult to get all of the original cast together as they were off doing different projects.

“I think it would be possible to do a prequel that was re-cast and do a love story – so you went right back and had the young cast arriving in the show as footmen and Mrs Patmore being a kitchen maid,” Fellowes told The Mirror.

He went on to say that he would be “sad” if the film didn’t come together now that the script is already in production.

“I hope there will be a film,” he said. “It will be sad if we don’t do one. Most films are a punt and we have a solid audience waiting for it.

“The difficulty is rounding up the actors who have now gone off to the four corners of the earth, in Hollywood, on Broadway, doing plays, doing series and so on.”

BAFTA tribute evening for Downton Abbey

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Earlier this week, Fellowes told the Standard that he was also hoping to make a TV adaptation of his novel , Belgravia.

He said: “I should perhaps be putting my feet up, but there are things I’ve got on my plate. I’m writing a slightly supernatural thriller at the moment where you can’t quite decide if it is supernatural, which I’m enjoying.

“Then I think I’m going to do Belgravia as a four-part series for television. I’m also hoping to do [New York-set period drama] The Gilded Age for NBC/Universal — there’s quite a lot going on.”

While producers have confirmed that the Downton film has been given the green light, cast and plot details are still under wraps.

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