A star-studded cast are set to bring period drama, Downton Abbey, to the big screen once again.
After 2019’s self-titled film, will see return as Violet Crawley – as she reveals to Lady Mary () and her family that she’s come into possession of a glamorous villa on the French Riviera.
So, when can fans expect to see the latest instalment of the Downton franchise? Who’ll be making an appearance, and what else do we know about the plot of the highly anticipated movie so far?
Here’s everything you need to know about A New Era.
When is Downton Abbey: A New Era being released?
The movie will be out in UK cinemas on Friday, April 29 2022.
After a theatrical release, it’s expected to be available on streaming in the UK, but we don’t know where yet.
Meanwhile, the film reaches US cinemas on May 20, and will air shortly after on US streamer Peacock – which suggests that we might see it on Sky and NOWTV over here in the future.
Currently, Peacock is only available to Brits through regular Sky or NOWTV subscriptions.
What is the plot of Downton Abbey 2?
While you’ll have to watch the film for the full experience, we do know a little about what’s to come.
It’s been revealed that A New Era takes place just after the events of the 2019 Downton film, which saw the Crawleys and their household servants prepare for a visit from King George V and Queen Mary.
The premise sees Violet Crawley inherit a stunning property in the South of France from a former lover.
The Crawleys are left to figure out what’s going on with the Dowager Countess, who (spoiler) at the end of the last film was given a serious medical diagnosis, suggesting she might not have long left.
Who’s in the Downton Abbey: A New Era cast?
Buckle up – because the list of stars appearing in A New Era is quite long.
Of course, Dame Maggie is back as Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, with Michelle Dockery reprising her role as Lady Mary Talbot.
Tuppence Middleton, who , will be back as Lucy Smith, as will as Robert Crawley and as Maud Bagshaw.
Also joining the movie is legendary French actor Nathalie Baye, however we don’t know which character she’ll play just yet.
Also set to star in the film are:
- Hugh Dancy as Jack Barber
- Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley
- Laura Haddock as Myrna Dalgleish
- Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates
- Penelope Wilton as Isabel Merton
- Dominic West as Guy Dexter
- Samantha Bond as Lady Rosamund Painswick
- Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Pelham
- Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker
- Phyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes
- Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter
- Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
- Michael Fox as Andrew Parker
- Allen Leech as Tom Branson
- Lesley Nicol as Mrs Patmore.
While many of these names will be familiar to fans of the series, you’ll also know that Laura Haddock, and .
In a chat with the series’ official podcast, West admitted it was ‘very daunting coming onto a show that’s been going for so long that is such a big phenomenon and such a big success’.
He added: ‘I’d never been to before… you go up the drive and you come over the brow of the hill and there it is.
‘It’s like some Disney castle and you can’t quite believe that it’s real. It’s such an extraordinary outline against, against the horizon and… so that was the first sort of intake of breath.’
Sadly, it looks like ’s character Henry Talbot won’t be back – as he didn’t appear much in the first film, either.
As for Michelle Dockery and Michael Fox, Downton is just one of several projects they’re embarking on.
The to produce tracks under their stage name Michael and Michelle – and are releasing their first EP of four songs on May 6, 2022.
Watch the latest Downton Abbey: A New Era trailer
As the film’s release date gets closer, we’ve also got a full-length trailer lasting almost two-and-a-half minutes.
Violet is seen chatting to her family, as she reveals she met a man before their father, and spent a few days with him – which comes out after he leaves her his house as an inheritance.
When questioned, she delivers a withering: ‘Do I look as if I’d turn down a villa in the South of France?’
The trailer also gives us a glimpse of scenes shot in Europe, teases the mystery of Violet’s past relationship, and also shows the times evolving as the family’s home is used as a film location.
Downton Abbey: A New Era is out in cinemas on April 29.
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