Downton Abbey might be ending after six seasons, but that doesn’t mean it’s the last we’ll see of the Crawley family and their staff!
Following the news that the popular British period drama will close its doors after six seasons, executive producer Gareth Neame confirmed that producers have been discussing a feature film continuation of the show, which airs on PBS’s Masterpiece.
“Our position on that is we would be very interested in that — it is definitely something that we’re contemplating,” Neame said. “It’d be great fun to do.”
But that doesn’t mean plans are officially in the works. “I think it’d be a wonderful extension of everything that people love about the TV show but I can’t confirm it’s definitely going to happen,” he cautioned. “It would take a lot of planning and thinking about.”
He continued, “It’s something that [creator] Julian [Fellowes] and I would be very interested to do if we can get all of our ducks in a row.”
The idea is in such an early stage that no one from the cast is guaranteed to participate in the potential film, but Neame confirmed one thing regarding season 6: “Yes, all of the characters will be in the final season.”
There has also been Internet chatter regarding a spinoff focusing on one of the show’s beloved characters, but Neame said there have been no discussions about one — though it’s not entirely out of the question.
“There are no plans to make a spinoff,” he confirmed. “There’s been endless speculation about this but there aren’t definite plans for a spinoff. Again, I couldn’t rule it out.”
Regardless of whether more Downton will happen following the end of the series, Neame said telling the final chapter of the story is bittersweet. “I think today will be a day of very mixed emotions for people,” he confessed. “I think the cast are excited to move on and see what is next — and we all are — but that’s tinged very much with sadness because it’s been a huge part of our lives and we thoroughly enjoy making the show.”
Season 6 will air in the U.S. on PBS in 2016.
