Downton Abbey: A New Era

Downton Abbey: A New Era is a historical drama film and the sequel to the 2019 film Downton Abbey. Both films were written by Julian Fellowes, the series creator and writer of the television series of the same name, with the sequel film being directed by Simon Curtis, replacing Michael Engler who directed the first film. The film premiered on 29 April 2022 in the UK and on 20 May 2022 in the US and Canada.
== Premise ==
In 1926, half of the Grantham family journeys to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa. At the Abbey, the remaining family members deal with a Hollywood movie crew using the Abbey to shoot a film.
== Cast ==
* Nathalie Baye
* Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham
* Samantha Bond as Lady Rosamund Painswick
* Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham
* Jim Carter as Charles Carson
* Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter
* Jonathan Coy as George Murray
* Brendan Coyle as John Bates
* Hugh Dancy
* Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot
* Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley
* Michael Fox as Andy Parker
* Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
* Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
* Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert "Bertie" Pelham, Marquess of Hexham
* Laura Haddock as Myrna Dalgleish
* Sue Johnston as Miss Denker
* Allen Leech as Tom Branson
* Phyllis Logan as Elsie Carson
* Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
* Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker
* Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson
* Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore
* Douglas Reith as Richard "Dickie" Grey, Lord Merton
* Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
* Imelda Staunton as Maud, Lady Bagshaw
* Dominic West
* Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey, Lady Merton
== Production ==
After the release of the first film in 2019, creator Julian Fellowes and the cast stated that they already had ideas about doing a sequel. In January 2020, it was reported that Fellowes would begin working on it after he finished scripting drama series The Gilded Age. In September 2020, Jim Carter, who plays Carson, said that the script for the sequel had been written, and in February 2021, Hugh Bonneville, who plays Robert, stated in an interview with BBC Radio 2 that once the cast and crew had been vaccinated for COVID-19, the film would be made.
Principal photography was originally scheduled to take place from 12 June to 12 August 2021, in Hampshire, England, but Deadline Hollywood confirmed production started in mid-April 2021. On 16 July 2021, Elizabeth McGovern announced on Instagram that she had completed filming. On 25 August 2021, the film's title Downton Abbey: A New Era was announced.
=== Casting ===
The principal cast of the first film returned, joined by Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West.
== Release ==
Downton Abbey: A New Era was initially set to be released in cinemas on 22 December 2021, before subsequently having its release date moved to 18 March 2022, and subsequently to 29 April in the UK, and 20 May in North America. It is expected to be streamable in the US on Peacock on 4 July, 45 days after its American theatrical release.
The film opened in 3,815 locations, the widest release in the history of Focus Features. In the North America, it earned $7.4 million at the box office for the day of its release, which includes $1.1 million for the May 19th previews. It is projected to earn a total of $18 million for its opening weekend. In the UK and other select markets, it has grossed over $30 million since its release three weeks prior."‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ Serving Up Solid $18M Box Office Opening", The Hollywood Reporter, May 21, 2022
== References ==
Category:2022 films
Category:2022 in film
Category:2022 sequel films
Category:English-language films
Category:American films
Category:American historical drama films
Category:American LGBT-related films
Category:American sequel films
Category:British films
Category:British LGBT-related films
Category:British sequel films
Category:2022 American films
Category:Films about old age
Category:Films about social class
Category:Films based on television series
Category:Films directed by Simon Curtis
Category:Films set in the 1920s
Category:Films set in 1927
Category:Films set in country houses
Category:Films set in England
Category:Films shot in Hampshire
Category:Focus Features films
Category:Universal Pictures films