Downton Abbey returns for a sequel

The cast of Downton Abbey are returning 

Reports have emerged this week that state the cast of Downton Abbey will be returning to the big screens in December of this year.

Focus Features, who will be producing the film, announced on Monday the 19th of April that the new film will hit cinemas on the 22nd of December this year.

Julian Fellowes has written the sequel's screenplay, and Simon Curtis ("My Week With Marilyn") is directing. Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and 86-year-old Maggie Smith will all be back, along with some new faces, including Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West.

Focus Features said "We're thrilled to announce that Julian Fellowes and the entire Downton cast are back for #DowntonAbbey2, with Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West joining! See the film in theaters this Christmas."

Gareth Neame, who is a producer of the film, had this to say "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 reunited with the much-beloved characters of Downton Abbey."

The first “Downton Abbey” film in 2019 followed the Crawley family and the Downton staff as they prepared for a royal visit from the king and queen of England. The plot of the sequel is still somewhat unclear.

No doubt that after the difficult few months endured by all, some respite in the form of a Downton Abbey sequel will be welcomed by fans of the show.