'Downton Abbey' Actor Teases Possible Spinoff Talk

It has become conventional wisdom in our overstuffed entertainment ecosystem that a show must have name recognition to attract viewers. Have an idea for a science fiction series? Have you considered resetting it in the Star Trek universe? Thinking of a workplace comedy? Could it get its paper from Dunder-Mifflin? One thing that The Gilded Age should be given credit for is that it went the other direction. Initially conceived in 2012 as a Downton Abbey prequel about Cora and Robert's romance, it evolved into the far more broadly focused show that airs today, debuting on HBO as a completely original story.

However, with the third and final Downton Abbey film weeks away, and The Gilded Age Season 3 stepping up its game substantially as it reaches the heart of what inspired it, there is apparently talk of an official Downton prequel being batted around behind the scenes.

Elizabeth McGovern recently gave an interview to Deadline, promoting both the third film and her live theater project, Ava: The Secret Conversations. Speaking about the final film and saying goodbye to the franchise, McGovern teased that Downton probably wouldn't be gone long, but that this is the end of the current iteration.

“It is, definitely [the end of Downton]. I can tell you that," she said, "unless they do something like they go back in time and it’s a different cast. You know, the young Maggie. There’s been quite a lot of that sort of talk. Can’t wait to sit back and kick my heels up and see it.” Even so, she said that the Downton Abbey cast would remain close even after the series concludes. “For some of them, it was one of their first jobs. And then we watch them blossom, get married, and have kids. You can’t help but feel a real attachment.”

Julian Fellowes is currently running low on projects. His series, Belgravia was given a soft reboot on MGM+ in 2024, only to crash and burn a second time. The Gilded Age, though garnering critical praise this season, barely survived last season's cancellations and will be facing strong headwinds in the fight to come back for Season 4. Considering the story Fellowes was originally planning to tell about the generation before has made it to the screen now (albeit through a glass darkly), perhaps leapfrogging back to when the Dowager Countess Violet was husband-hunting the previous gentleman who held the title of Lord Grantham.

For those who have not been obsessively following the final Downton film, here's the film's synopsis, which will follow the fallout of Lady Mary's marriage to Henry Talbot dissolving:

The cinematic return of the global phenomenon follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.

As for Downton Abbey’s final cast (deep breath, everybody!), it starts with original series stars Hugh Bonneville and McGovern as Lord and Lady Grantham; Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael as daughters Lady Mary and Lady Edith, and Allen Leech as son-in-law Tom. Penelope Wilton also returns as Lady Merton, Lady Mary’s ex-mother-in-law, and later addition Douglas Reith as her new husband, Lord Merton. Downton stalwarts Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan also return as Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes; Brendan Coyle and Joanne Froggat as Mr. Bates and Anna; Sophie McShera and Lesley Nicol as Daisy and Mrs. Patmore, and Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow.

Later additions returning include Harry Hadden-Paton as Lady Edith’s husband, Bertie, and Dominic West, who returns as Lady Mary’s next love interest, Guy Dexter, from Downton Abbey: A New Era. Returning to downstairs, there are Raquel Cassidy and Kevin Doyle as Miss Baxter and Mr. Molesley, and Michael Fox as Andy. Season 3 Christmas special guest star Paul Giamatti also finally gets a turn on the big screen, reprising his role as Cora’s brother, Harold Levinson. New guest stars for the third film include Joely Richardson (Renegade Nell), Simon Russell Beale (Mary & George), Arty Froushan (House of the Dragon), and American actor Alessandro Nivola (Black Narcissus). 

The late Maggie Smith’s character, the Dowager Countess Violet, will be honored in the film. As always, Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay, with director Simon Curtis once again at the helm.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will premiere with special advanced screenings on Wednesday, September 10, before opening globally in theaters on Friday, September 12, 2025. In the meantime, The Gilded Age Season 3 continues with new episodes on HBO and HBO Max every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET through mid-August.