“Downton Abbey 2” Gets December 22, 2021, Theatrical Release Date!

Talking about news that made me incredibly happy today, Downton Abbey 2 will be released on December 22, 2021. I can’t wait!

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski announced that Focus has set production for Downton Abbey 2 with Gareth Neame’s Carnival Films. What’s great is that the original principal cast will return for the sequel. Production began last week.

Along with the original cast, new additions include Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye, and Dominic West. The screenplay will be written by Academy-award winner Julian Fellowes, with Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning Gareth Neame and Emmy Award-winning Liz Trubridge back to produce with Fellowes. BAFTA and Emmy nominated director Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn) will join the filmmaking team to direct the sequel.

Gareth Neame, the film’s producer and executive chairman of Carnival Films said, “After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be re-united with the much-beloved characters of Downton Abbey.”

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski shared, “There’s no place like home for the holidays, and we can’t imagine a better gift than getting to reunite with Julian, Gareth, and the entire Downton family in 2021 to bring the Crawley’s back home for their fans.”

The first Downton Abbey film debuted back in the UK on September 13, 2019, followed by a US release on September 20, 2019. The premise involved a Royal Visit to the Crawley family and Downton staff from the King and Queen of England. Along with some delicious drama and character growth, the movie ended with a ball fitting for the Royal Family.  

With a production budget estimated to be $20 million, the film went on to gross more than $190 million at the box office. Of course, fans wanted the movie to get a sequel, especially after doing such numbers.

You can read Erin’s review of the first Downton Abbey film here.

And here’s a video of me reacting to the enjoyable Thomas Barrow and Richard Ellis scenes!

At this point, I’m quite unsure about whether or not actor Max Brown has been called back to reprise his role as Richard Ellis. I was looking forward to seeing his relationship with Thomas Barrow continue.

Also, we don’t know any character details about the new cast members yet. So, as far as I’m concerned, if (unfortunately) Richard doesn’t come back, I would like the film to hook Thomas up with Hugh Dancy’s character to soften the blow.

The Downton Abbey TV series debuted on September 26, 2010. It ran for six seasons for a total of 52 episodes. The series finale aired on December 25, 2015. As a fan of the show, I’m glad to see the stories continue on the big screen. I want a new Downton Abbey film every two years. I’m being serious.  

One of the biggest surprises is the fact Dame Maggie Smith is returning as Violet Crawley. The first film had Violet share some bad news about her health and how she didn’t have long to live. Fans were speculating that if a sequel did happen, Violet Crawley might already be dead, with the plot showing the Crawley family mourning her loss.

Frankly, Violet might still die in the upcoming sequel. But, at least, we’ll have more of her to enjoy until that particular scene occurs. 

Are you excited about Downton Abbey 2?

Let us know.

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(via press release)

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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