Focus Features has once again teamed up with Carnival Films for Downton Abbey 3, the next installment to Julian Fellowes’ period drama movies based on his award-winning ITV series. This comes after two years since the theatrical release of Downton Abbey: A New Era, which received a gross of over $90 million at the box office.
As production begins on the sequel, the studio has also announced the addition of five new cast members: Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale, and Arty Froushan. Giamatti, who recently earned an Oscar nomination for his leading role in The Holdovers, is set to reprise his role as Cora Grantham’s brother Harold Levinson. His character appeared during the show’s third and fourth seasons, as well as in the 2013 Christmas special.
Who’s the returning cast of Downton Abbey 3?
Most of the original cast members are also returning for Downton Abbey 3, including Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Michelle Dockery as Mary, Laura Carmichael as Edith, Jim Carter as Carson, Phyllis Logan as Elsie, Robert James-Collier as Thomas, Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Allen Leech as Tom, Penelope Wilton as Isobel, Lesley Nicol as Beryl, Michael Fox as Andy, Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis, Brendan Coyle as John Bates, Kevin Doyle as Joseph Moseley, Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie, Sophie McShera as Daisy, and Douglas Reith as Dickie. In addition, Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter from the 2019 adaptation. At the moment, further details about the third installment’s plot are still being kept under wraps. The 2019 sequel ended with the family bidding farewell to Maggie Smith’s fan-favorite character, Lady Violet.
The film is being directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Simon Curtis from a screenplay written by Fellowes. The film is produced by Fellowes, Gareth Neame, and Liz Trubridge. It is a production by Carnival Films, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing.