Just months after what many believed was the emotional farewell to Downton Abbey, one of the show's stars has dropped a major hint that another film could be in the works.
A Surprising Revelation on National Television
Robert James-Collier, who famously portrayed the complex character Thomas Barrow throughout the beloved period drama's run, made an unexpected admission during his appearance on BBC's The One Show on Tuesday, November 18. The actor was present to promote his new Channel 5 drama, Cooper and Fry, but conversation inevitably turned to the future of the much-loved Crawley family saga.
Host Clara Amfo noted that the cast had "said goodbye to Downton over the summer, we think definitely for the last time with the final film," to which Robert immediately responded with an optimistic "You never know!" This exchange has sparked fresh hope among the show's devoted fanbase that the story might not be over after all.
Emotional Goodbyes and Financial Realities
When questioned about bidding farewell to Thomas Barrow after fifteen years in the role, Robert offered a characteristically northern English perspective. "Well, the thing is, I'm from the north of England and we don't do emotion," he humorously explained. "Now, I want you to say, 'Oh, it was all very upsetting,' but we can't. It's a sign of vulnerability."
The actor revealed his practical approach to the supposed finale, stating: "For me, we'd had that many false endings that I thought, 'It's probably going to go ahead, there will be a Downton 4. Don't worry about it.'" He then delivered the line that has set social media alight: "It's called The Grand Finale, but I think there will be another one. It'll be fine."
In a moment of refreshing honesty, James-Collier added with a laugh: "I've got a huge mortgage. I need it to happen. I'm putting positive thoughts out there."
Critical Acclaim and New Beginnings
The third Downton Abbey film, which brought the saga that began in 2010 to what was thought to be a definitive close, has been met with overwhelming praise. The movie currently holds an impressive 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics celebrating its handling of the Crawley family's entry into the 1930s.
Variety described the film as delivering "a heart-swelling conclusion," while The Independent called it "about as graceful and fitting an endnote as you could hope for."
Meanwhile, Robert James-Collier has moved on to new projects, currently starring as a likeable police constable in Channel 5's fresh drama Cooper and Fry. The four-episode series, adapted from Stephen Booth's bestselling novels, also features Doctor Who's Mandip Gill and follows two incompatible young investigators solving mysterious deaths in the Peak District.
Despite these new ventures, the door to Downton Abbey appears to remain tantalisingly ajar, leaving fans wondering if they might indeed return to the grand estate one more time.
