Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has teased that the hit show could return to our screens for a more colourful period of history – or even make its way to the big screen – in future.
Last week it was announced that the period drama would draw to a close this year after series six and a Christmas special, but Fellowes said he could see the show’s cast swapping evening dress and pearls for flares and big hair for a 1970s revival some day.
Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Mencap Fashion Show in London, according to the Daily Mirror, he said: “I think in 10 years it could be quite fun, when we have all forgotten about it, if it came back as Downton struggling in the 1970s. We could have all new different situations.”
Julian Fellowes at the Emmys earlier this year (Matt Sayles/AP)
Mooting other possible spin-offs, he said: “We could have shows just focusing on Mr Bates and Anna. It depends on the actors.”
Julian also addressed the rumours that there was a Downton film in the works: “It is just talk at the moment. But I like the idea of a film as we could take the characters and situations and have a film budget. We could give it some welly… make it fantastically good.”
He confirmed what was to come before the ITV show bows out: “There will be eight more episodes and a two-hour special on Christmas Day.
Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville star as Lady and Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey (ITV)
“I can’t say how it will end, but I hope the viewers will enjoy it. I think it is better to go when people feel sorry that you are leaving, rather than asking if you will ever leave.”
Finally, he said of the cast: “It is now time to see if they can fly without Downton beneath their wings.”
