Queer Character Thomas Barrow to Return in “Downton Abbey 3” Movie

Downton Abbey fans are getting a third movie in the long-running franchise. While details about the plot are being kept under wraps, queer characters Thomas Barrow and Guy Dexter are set to return for the third installment.

The news about Downton Abbey 3 has finally been made official. Focus Features and Carnival Films are in production on the third live-action feature film. While there’s no release date yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get to see it premiere sometime later this year.

As someone who occasionally visits the Downton Abbey fandom, there were recent rumblings about the OG cast getting together to shoot a “secret” project behind a closed set. Fans were speculating if said project was going to be another movie or perhaps a miniseries. Well, I guess we finally have our answer. It’s a whole movie.

From creator Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey 3 will be directed by Simon Curtis (Downton Abbey 2: A New Era). The key returning cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera, and Douglas Reith.

The cast also includes Oscar-nominee Paul Giamatti. He will be reprising his role from the TV series as Cora’s brother Harold Levinson.

Dominic West will also be back as Thomas Barrow’s love interest Guy Dexter.

The new additions are Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale, and Arty Froushan.

Debuting back in 2022, the second film gave Thomas a somewhat happy ending with Guy making an offer to Thomas to be his “wife” or companion and travel with him to America. Thomas, of course, accepted the offer and resigned from his position at Downton. Considering the era the story’s set in, that was a good ending for Thomas and he could live his life with Guy in America offscreen if Downton Abbey continued down the line. 

That’s why I’m quite surprised by the third movie actually bringing both characters back. Now, I highly doubt they would have broken up during the timeskip. So, it will be interesting to see what kind of relationship dynamic Thomas and Guy will share as a romantic couple while being mindful of the anti-queerness of their surroundings.

With how the second film had some of the cast travel away from Downton (and the country), I suspect the third movie will have a bunch of cast members travel to America and that’s how they will get to interact with Guy, Thomas, and Cora’s brother Harold. Hmmm. Let’s see.

Anyway, are you excited about Downton Abbey 3?

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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