Movie Posters Released

Here are the movie posters released by Downton's Official Instagram page today, they look absolutely stunning! Click to enlarge

The Movie Trailer is Here!

New Posters and Trailer Soon!

The official trailer of the DA movie is being released tomorrow, which, let's be honest, is a nice way to ease the sting of other television shows that may or may not have been a major disappointment lately...

To keep us waiting with bated breath, here are some tantalizing glowing movie posters!

DA Photos Emerge as First of Movie Promo

Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Allen Leech (Tom Branson), and Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) briefly met with a fan @PatrickHutchinson during a promo shoot reportedly in Massachusetts. Patrick stated "It was awesome and they were so gracious and funny and warm. I feel very lucky to have met them!" Originally posted on Allen Leech France FB

DA: See the Cast's Glam Movie Makeovers

From Vanity Fair
By Julie Miller

When Lady Mary and the Downton Abbey gang return on September 20, they will do so looking more glamorous than ever. At least that is the takeaway from four new character posters, which show Mary (Michelle Dockery), newly lucky-in-love Edith (Laura Carmichael), Andy (Michael C. Fox), and Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) making a few final touch-ups before greeting guests. A tagline, "We've been expecting you," sits at the bottom of each character poster- alluding to the fact that we've been waiting forever for this movie, and perhaps also hinting at the "grand mysterious event" that anchors the film.

As previously reported, the film takes place in the fall of 1927- over a year and a half after the events depicted in the series finale. The event being held at the estate- a Grantham vow renewal? The Dowager Countess' 85th birthday blowout?- is so epic that even Carson (Jim Carter) is called out of palsy-induced retirement to be there. "When this event happens and all hands are needed on deck, [Carson's] called into service, and he becomes part of the success story," director Michael Engler has teased.

And while the cast and crew have been mostly mum about movie details, they have offered a few clues here and there. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly last December, Dockery confirmed that Lady Mary "embraced her responsibility much more now that she's matured...As much as Mary is very independent, her loyalty remains with Downton...There's a sense of Mary holding it all together."

Engler has also said that Edith may have difficulty adapting to her new rank as marchioness. "It brings with it much more responsibility and protocol than she was raised with at Downton," said Engler. "On one level they're these modern people in their training and expectations, but then, they are in the roles of these very elevated, cultural positions. But don't fear- even Mary and Edith 2.0 will still engage in some deliciously spiky moments of sibling sparring. "They're adults now, so there's certainly an element of softening between them. But there's some fun moments, definitely," said Dockery.

This past October, Allen Leech shared a few more details, revealing that the film is "a big epic story that is definitely going to fill the big screen. That was our worry about taking the show from the small screen to the big screen. But you have [screenwriter and Downton Abbey mastermind] Julian Fellowes, who won an Oscar for writing, and he's done a great job with the story."

Leech also teased that Tom Branson might finally find love (again). "Look, that was one of my hopes that I had at the end of the series in season 6, and it didn't happen!" Leech joked. "So one would hope that it would happen in the movie."

The cast is rounded out by Hugh Bonneville, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Patton, David Haig, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Tuppance Middleton, Stephan Campbell Moore, Lesley Nicol, Kate Phillips, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, and Penelope Wilton.

All the Photos from the DA Movie so Far

Maureen Lee Lenker

Entertainment Weekly

The Downton Abbey Movie is getting closer by the day. With its scheduled Sept. 20 release date, the film is poised to bring back all of our favorite characters for a feature length story that picks up approximately 18 months after where the series ended. Details have been slow to emerge but so far six tantalizing images have given us a glimpse into what to expect. 

Be still our Downton loving hearts. This tender image of a romantic moment between Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) was a special Valentine's Day treat when the official Downton twitter account released it on the romantic holiday. Mary and Henry still appear to be very much in love, though what has second marriage and renewed motherhood done to Mary's once chic and stylish bob?!

While Mary's romantic travails dominated much of the Downton drama, the steadfast couple that will always and forever be our OTP is Anna (Joann Froggatt) and Bates (Brendan Coyle). They've had their share of drama (prison time! murder accusations! sexual assault!) so it's refreshing to see them enjoy a tender, quiet moment together. All is seemingly well in this other image released on Valentine's Day.

Edith (Laura Carmichael) is seen returning to Downton with husband Bertie Pelham (Harry Hadden-Patton) and daughter Marigold in this exclusive EW first look. "The two of them are adapting to being a married couple and to her being a lady of one of these great houses," director Michael Englar told EW. "It brings with it much more responsibility and protocol than she was raised with at Downton...On one level they're these modern people in their training and expectations, but then they are in the roles of these very elevated, cultural positions." 

For some time, fans worried Maggie Smith might not return to bring her signature one-liners to the big screen because Smith herself said she feared the character would be too old to continue. But she's back and better than ever. "She feels very much the same in this. She represents the oldest of the old guard," remarked Engler. "She has a beautiful line in the film where she says to Mary, 'One must have standards but one must not be inflexible.' That's what she always stood for."

It seems Mary and Henry are as much in love than ever, if not more so. "What you see is her for once being settled," actress Michelle Dockery told EW of Mary's romance. "They're very supportive of one another and they're good friends. It's nice to see Mary in that way as opposed to being in constant turmoil about her love life."

When the series ended, it seemed Carson (Jim Carter) would be permanently entering retirement with his worsening health, but this photo suggests he's returned to his post at Downton. When it comes to Carson, Engler hinted "Let's just say his brief retirement has been very good for his health and when this event happens and all hands are needed on deck, he's called into service and he becomes part of the success of the story."

DA Movie "Turns the Volume Up!"

Kelly Lawler
USA Today

The Crawleys are coming back, somehow. The beloved upstairs/downstairs period drama Downton Abbey, which aired on PBS from 2011-2016 continues its story as a feature film due in theaters September 20th.

Excited fans know next to nothing about what the lords, ladies, and valets will be up to in the film. All the cast members aren't much help.

I don't even know what else I can tell you," actress Laura Carmichael, who plays Edith Crawley, told reporters at the Television Critics Association Tuesday. "What can I remember that's been released? There's some new exciting people, which was dreamy. New cast members which you'll love and enjoy."

Carmichael, who was promoting a role as yet another English noble in Starz's upcoming The Spanish Princess, also promised the film will satisfy fans who have to buy a movie ticket to see the story.

"I think everyone will be pleased that we've upped the ante. Turned the volume up." For the cast, "it was really magic to see each other and see each other become those characters again, like seeing Jim (Carter) become Carson and seeing Phyllis (Logan) become Mrs. Hughes. It gave us all a thrill."

The actress has no idea whether this will end the Downton saga. "That is certainly a question for Lord Fellowes," she said, referring to series creator Julian Fellowes. "I can't speak for other people. But I can say we all had a dreamy time, it was lush."

Photos Galore!

     The paps and on-lookers were out in droves as the cast stepped out into the sunshine to film a few scenes for the DA movie. From upstairs to team servants and everyone in between, the cast gathered for what appears to be a fantastic formal event adorned with top hats, military uniforms, and a couple cellphones to boot. In previous interviews the cast have gushed over filming scenes such as these because the actors who are typically in the kitchens of the abbey (aka Ealing Studios) are rarely together with the cast upstairs who film primarily at Highclere, therefore these scenes allow for a full cast reunion. Check out some of the great photos below and see if you can start to piece together the plot!

Top L: Hugh Bonneville (Robert) stands at attention and salutes what appears to be the set Oracle, Alastair Bruce
Top R: Kevin Doyle (Molesley) consults with show producer Liz Trubridge
Bottom L: Raquel Cassidy (Mrs. Baxter) grabs a shot of onset love interest Kevin Doyle (Molesley)
Bottom R: Laura Carmichael (Edith) chats it up with Dame Maggie Smith (Violet)

Top L: Laura Carmichael and Harry Hadden-Paton (Bertie) grab a quick coffee
Top R: Jim Carter (Carson)
Bottom L: Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore) and possible Sophie McShera (Daisy)
Bottom R: Hugh Bonneville jumps into the future with camera phone in hand and film publicist Jessica Morris nearby

Top L: Imelda Staunton (character unknown) in a fit of laughter with Maggie Smith
Top R: Harry Hadden-Paton and Michelle Dockery (Mary)
Bottom L: Maggie Smith takes a stroll with Michelle Dockery
Bottom R: Bad Ass Bonneville between shots

The Wife (Michelle Dockery)
Bottom L: Michelle with unidentified actor
Bottom R: Michelle Dockery and Allen Leech (Tom)

From Hugh's IG BonHughBon
Donk and the grandkids
Twins Zac and Oliver (George)
Twins in pink (Marigold)
Top Center: (Sybbie)

From Milkpublicity IG
Publicist Jessica Morris and Hugh Bonneville's go head to head in an on-location photo battle between the Milkmaids at Milk Publicity, with other shots including Victoria Brooks and Una Maguire and Jo Doutch and Richard Dobbs-Grove.
Sorry guys, DA wins, hands (heads?) down, every time

Release Date Confirmed...

...and leaves US fans waiting in the lurch yet again. Focus Feature films has announced the official release dates for the Downton movie as September 13, 2019 for international audiences and September 20th for North American audiences. Because why not? We're used to waiting! We waited months for the series every year, we should have to wait for the film as well, right? Naturally American fans are not responding well to the news, especially with the looming threat of spoilers that will undoubtedly flood the internet before we have the chance to see it (again a battle we knew all too well when the series was released in the UK 6 months earlier). Hat tip to the production company for recreating every inch of our Downton TV experience. Whatever, we get what we get and we don't throw a fit, right? Well, I throw a fit, but I'm maladjusted to navigate minor disappointments like these.

Focus also published the full list of the cast returning as well as the new stars to expect on the big screen for the revival.

Returning cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Haden-Paton, Robert James Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Penelope Wilton and Maggie Smith

New stars include Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, David Haig, Tuppence Middleton, Kate Phillips and Steven Campbell Moore

Of course Julian Fellowes has returned to write the script and produce along side Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge, Michael Engler returns to direct, Brian Percival and Nigel Marchant are executive producing. Sad not to see Chris Croucher, long time producer return for the film, but thankfully much of the old family is back together and we can't wait to see what they'll do. Well, we can wait, we will have to wait, but it will be worth it.

Emmy Extravaganza: The Cast

Joanne Froggatt and Laura Carmichael lit up the red carpet during their arrivals to Sunday's Emmys and they both looked gorgeous. Joanne was accompanied by her husband and Laura was accompanied by rumored-but definitely not talking about it-boyfriend Michael C. Fox, who played Andy on the series. The girls both partied it up after the show and met up with their sister and boss, Michelle Dockery, aka Lady Mary

Pre-Emmy Party!

It was a glamorous weekend-long affair full of red carpets, flashbulbs, cocktails, gorgeous gowns and laughter as the Downton crew reunited for a final celebration. Along with cast members like The Wife, Joanne Froggatt, Laura Carmichael, Michael C. Fox, Lesley Nicol, Tom Cullen, the crew also flocked to LA for the showdown, and people like Julian Fellowes, Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge, and Chris Croucher joined in the festivities! 

Sadly, with all the countless members of the Downton family who strolled into the Microsoft theater, there are few BTS photos that have surfaced prior to and after the show, and I cannot hide my disappointment! So mostly we must settle for good old fashioned editorial photography.
Click to enlarge; visit the Far Far Away site for more HQs

Here is The Wife, Joanne Froggatt, and Laura Carmichael along with Michael C Fox at the Variety and Women In Film Pre-Emmy Party Friday night

And then we have the lovely ladies at the BAFTA Tea Party