Next 'Downton Abbey' Film To Hit Theaters in 2025
The problem with writing about the forthcoming third Downton Abbey movie is that there's not much to write about. The newest installment of what has become a surprisingly long-lived feature film series since the first Downton Abbey movie was a blockbuster in 2019 began filming in the waning days of June 2024, and with that announcement came a key confirmation that fans had been seeking: a release date. However, those who were hoping for a quick turnaround will be disappointed, as the save-the-date cards for the third installment are for 2025.
It may not feel like it, but this is good news because it shows that the Downton Abbey team learned its lesson after the second film. As fans may recall, Downton Abbey: The Sequel (which eventually became Downton Abbey: A New Era) announced filming was underway literally the exact same week as this one in 2021 and followed it very quickly with a planned holiday-timed December release date for the same year. That December release date then became a February release date... and then moved again, finally landing at the end of May 2022. Part of this was due to the pandemic, but just as much to the realities of film-making. The upshot was that simply not as many people came out in May to see the sequel as did the first one, which bowed the second weekend of September 2019.
Focus Features is, therefore, making the obvious course correction. Downton Abbey 3 will arrive on the second week of September 2025. Yes, it's a long time to wait, but this way, it's in the right place from the jump. Mark your date books.
Downton Abbey Third Film Save the Date Card
Focus Features
There is still no synopsis, but as we all know, it doesn't matter what the Granthams do in the film as long as they all show up and behave fabulously, as always.
The main cast members returning upstairs include the core ensemble of Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Harry Hadden-Paton, Douglas Reith, and Dominic West. Downstairs, the core ensemble will feature Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Michael Fox, Robert James-Collier, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, and Lesley Nicols. (Not currently listed: Maggie Smith, Matthew Goode, Tuppence Middleton, and Imelda Staunton.) Paul Giamatti will reprise his role as Cora Grantham’s brother, Harold Levinson, for the first time on the big screen. Other guest stars for the third film include Joely Richardson (Renegade Nell), Simon Russell Beale (Mary & George), British-American actor Arty Froushan (House of the Dragon), and American actor Alessandro Nivola (Black Narcissus).
Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay, with director Simon Curtis once again back to helm the feature film.
Downton Abbey 3 will arrive in theaters on Friday, September 12, 2025.
