Downton Abbey 2 Sets Release Date and New Cast Members

Focus Features has announced that production on Julian Fellowes’ upcoming Downton Abbey sequel has finally begun with the original principal cast, including Michelle Dockery and Dame Maggie Smith, all set to once again reprise their iconic roles from the beloved period drama series. The studio has also confirmed that Downton Abbey 2 will be making its debut in theaters on December 22, 2021, just in time for Christmas.

In addition to the original cast, the sequel has added four new cast members in the form of Emmy nominee Hugh Dancy (Elizabeth I), Laura Haddock (Guardians of the Galaxy), César Award winner Nathalie Baye (The Young Lieutenant) and Golden Globe nominee Dominic West (The Affair). BAFTA-nominated director Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn) has also signed on to helm the project, succeeding Michael Engler, who directed the 2019 film.

Downton Abbey 2 will feature the return of the critically acclaimed show’s main cast, including award-winning actress Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Dockery, and Elizabeth McGovern. The initial film followed a Royal Visit to the Crawley family and Downton staff from the King and Queen of England and ended with a ball fitting for the Royal Family.

“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.” Gareth Neame said in a statement.

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said, “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 sequel will be again be written by Julian Fellowes, who will also serve as a producer along with Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning Gareth Neame and Emmy Award-winning Liz Trubridge.

Downton Abbey 2 is a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing. Carnival Films is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The original series followed the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who worked for them at the turn of the 20th century in an Edwardian English country home. Over its 6 seasons, the series garnered 3 Golden Globe Awards, 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, a Special BAFTA award and 69 Emmy nominations in total, making Downton Abbey the most nominated non-US television show in the history of the Emmys – even earning a Guinness World Record for the highest critically rated TV show along the way.