'Downton Abbey' Will Return for a Third Movie, the "Final Chapter"

For months there have been rumors about a return of Downton Abbey. Most of these have been confined to rags like The Sun or The Daily Mail, places that have proven unreliable in the past. Also, these rumors suggested the show was coming back for another season to ITV and PBS, rumors that were easily disproven, if not downright laughable. More recently, those rumors morphed into suggestions a third movie might be in the works, something that was far more plausible, but still sketchy.

However, on Monday, March 18, 2024, notices were posted in multiple weekly production circulars announcing a film was looking to hire crew members for "Downton Abbey 3," to begin filming in July 2024. While some were uncertain if it was a prank, those with inside connections were pretty sure if it was legit. However, without an official confirmation from somewhere, no one was able to run with it.

Thankfully, Imelda Staunton, who joined the cast when the series moved to the big screen as Lady Maud Bagshaw after watching its success from the sidelines (her husband, Jim Carter, plays Mr. Carson), decided to put everyone out of their misery. When asked by BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host Zoe Ball during her Wednesday, March 20 appearance about the film rumors, Staunton said: “There will be the final film – there you go.” Ball was genuinely startled, and joked she hoped Staunton wouldn't get in trouble. Staunton, however, said she didn't care. After all, this was the last one.