Downton Abbey creator teases epic return for beloved series, admitting he has ‘said goodbye so many times’
THERE was a rumour that Downton Abbey would return for its long-awaited seventh season.
But after months of waiting, Julian Fellowes has refused to confirm whether the ITV drama will make its final comeback.
The series ran for five years after its debut in 2010, and followed by two films, and while he previously told fans to stop holding out hope for more, he says there’s been no final decision as far as the writer is concerned.
Julian, who has instead been busy working on his new HBO series The Gilded Age, told me: “I have said goodbye to Downton so many times, and I have written the last scene about six or seven times.
“Now I’ve got out of the habit of making permanent statements whether it’s gone.
“It just gives me a lot of pleasure that so many people enjoyed it, so to feel that you created a show that cheers people up and they had a good time with it, I love that.”
In May, rumours swirled that the show was set for its big return almost eight years after it ended following its sixth season.
It was reported that the production company were hoping to attract the stars playing the Crawley family back, including Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery.
An insider told the Mail on Sunday at the time:”There is a plan which is in development and there is a lot of excitement about.”There is casting taking place, and it would be great if all of the big stars can return. People loved Downton. It became a British institution and it has been much missed since it left our screens.
“There is huge excitement around this project. It was a Sunday night favourite and got huge viewing figures. There has been very little to compete with it ever since it ended.”
A spokesperson for ITV declined to comment when contacted.