Julian Fellowes is back again with the next instalment in the Downton Abbey film series. Based upon the highly successful 2010 TV series, Fellowes first brought Downton to the big screen in 2019 with an 84% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
Two years later, he revealed that our favourite characters would return in the newly titled Downton Abbey: A New Era. Set to release in March 2022, promotional photos and the teaser trailer hint at a rather continental adventure for the Crawley family.
Much of the cast seems to be returning for the sequel apart from the husband of Lady Mary - Henry Talbot (played by Matthew Goode). Fans have been speculating how his absence will be explained, since he has been a firm favourite since the sixth and final season of the series.
Although there is a large returning cast, photos have given us a glimpse at a brand new character, never seen in the previous film or series.
As a fan of the show, the trailer and pictures have left me with more questions than it has answered. In the last film, the main message audiences took away was that the servant and master dynamic was a fading lifestyle.
"Should we really go on with it?" was the million dollar question from Michelle Dockery's Mary Crawley in the first installment; suggesting that the traditional Downton splendour was coming to an end.
So, why is it all alive and well with plenty of servants in the teaser trailer for the second film?
Another important plot line from the first film was the fact that Maggie Smith's character, The Dowager Countess, revealed she had cancer and with that, not long left to live.
Yet, the Dowager is still in the second film and seems to be well. However, there is another side to this. Some fans now believe her death will be shown in the new movie.
Aside from all of the questions it's raised, Fellowes newest Downton Abbey creation does indeed promise a new era. Within the teaser trailer, characters are lounging on boats in the South of France after the Dowager has 'come into possession' of a house there.
Judging the trailer alone, this seems to be the main plot line of the film; Downton takes a continental journey. Regardless of the vague nature of the plot so far, I know for a fact that I'll be heading to the cinema on opening night for some good old Downton Abbey magic.
