The possibility of a Downton Abbey sequel is highly likely, says producer Gareth Neame. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Neame confirmed that a film sequel to the highly acclaimed PBS drama of the same name, could be in the works. The first sequel, released this September, earned $184 million on a budget of just $20 million.
Continuing the story left off from the TV series, which ended in 2015, the film picks up in 1927. Depicting the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family in the fictional Yorkshire country estate, Downton Abbey found major critical success on air, earning the most nominations of any international television series in the history of the Emmy Awards. The film found similar critical success, earning an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and praise from critics for its continuation of the show’s plotline.
According to Neame, the team behind the first film has talked about a possible sequel, stating they are “working on what the story is, and when we might be able to make it.” He additionally highlighted the difficulty of coordinating everyone to come together again, including director Michael Engler and actors Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, and Maggie Smith, as an obstacle.
Chances are likely that fans will get a sequel, but no official announcements regarding its production have been made.