Downton Abbey: A New Era: Release Date, Cast And More

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"Downton Abbey," the series that I will forever call "Downtown Abbey" in my head no matter how wrong I know that is, is set to release a new movie early next year. The film, "Downton Abbey: A New Era," is the sequel to the 2019 "Downton Abbey" movie, and will be bringing back the original principal cast from the series. Below, I've rounded up the key details you need to know before "Downton Abbey: A New Era" arrives in 2022.

"Downton Abbey: A New Era" will head to theaters in the United States courtesy of Focus Features on March 18, 2022. Universal Pictures International will release internationally on the same date. The film was originally due out this holiday season before being bumped into next year due to the pandemic. As of right now, "Downton Abbey: A New Era" will be exclusive to theaters, and hopefully, by March of 2022 things will have gotten better, not worse. 

"Downton Abbey: A New Era" is the sequel to the 2019 "Downton Abbey" movie, which was a continuation of the story that began in the "Downton Abbey" series. Oddly enough, we don't actually have a synopsis for "Downton Abbey: A New Era" just yet. We don't even have a hint of what to expect from the story. The official announcement for the film merely states that the movie "reunites the original principal cast." The "New Era" title certainly suggests some sort of change, somewhere, built into the story. The previous movie was set in 1927. Perhaps the sequel will go further into the future? Hopefully, it'll go really far into the future, and introduce us to a sci-fi "Downton Abbey" where everyone has jetpacks. Or not. 

Simon Curtis, director of titles such as "Goodbye Christopher Robin," "My Week With Marilyn," and "Woman in Gold," is on board to direct "Downton Abbey: A New Era." Julian Fellowes, the creator of the series, is back to write the script. Fellowes will also produce along with Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. "Downton Abbey: A New Era" 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.

Returning "Downton Abbey" players appearing in "Downton Abbey: A New Era" include Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, and Maggie Smith. New additions to the cast include Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye, and Dominic West, although there's no word on who any of the newcomers are playing just yet.