Production has officially begun on the third Downton Abbey film, bringing back the beloved cast and crew for what is expected to be the final instalment. Creator Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis, who helmed 2022's 'Downton Abbey: A New Era', are both returning for the project.
The ensemble cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera and Douglas Reith. Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti will reprise his role as Harold Levinson, Cora's brother, and Dominic West returns as Guy Dexter.
New additions to the cast include Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan. A behind-the-scenes clip shared on social media shows the cast reuniting, with Michelle Dockery saying: "It feels amazing, a tad emotional. It's wonderful all to be back together again. You come back together and it's like no time has passed at all."
The third film was confirmed by Imelda Staunton, who plays Lady Maud Bagshaw, during a radio interview in March. She revealed: "There will be the final film – there you go." Hugh Bonneville also shared a photo on social media marking the start of production, captioning it: "Faded but hanging on in there. Delighted to have started work on the third #DowntonAbbey film."
