Filming is underway on the second Downton Abbey feature with Simon Curtis calling the shots from a screenplay by Julian Fellowes.. Whatâs on TV This Week: âAmy Tan â Unintended Memoirâ and âVax Liveâ PBSâs âAmerican Mastersâ airs a new documentary about the author Amy Tan. NEW YORK â The original principal cast of âDownton Abbeyâ are returning for a second film that will arrive in theatres December 22 this year, Focus Features announced Monday. The London native made her stage debut in His Dark Materials in 2004 before joining the cast of Downton Abbey. Liz Trubridge produces alongside Gareth Neame and Fellowes. Downton Abbey is kept running with the constant challenge of the Dowager Countess, AKA Violet Crawley. Fans can rejoice at the news that filming for the much-anticipated sequel of the Downton Abbey film is well underway, with a Christmas release date recently announced.. Logan who plays Mrs Carson (née Hughes) in the drama, revealed to Lorraine ⦠from 2000 to ⦠He is the son of the 6th Earl of Grantham and Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham and the brother of Lady Rosamund Painswick.He fought in the South African Wars with John Bates.. The latest TV drama news, episode guides, interviews, trailers, comment and updates from RadioTimes.com. The theatrical dame has been delighting Downton fans since the series, created by Julian Fellowes, launched on ITV back in 2010. Stage star Lesley Nicol played Rosie in the original West End production of Mamma Mia! 2019 period drama hit Downton Abbey is due to receive a sequel this year. Throughout its six seasons, Dockery was nominated for a ⦠âDownton Abbeyâ creator Julian Fellowes has written the sequelâs screenplay, and Simon Curtis (âMy Week With Marilynâ) is directing. Downton Abbey actress Phyllis Logan says cast have to wear âpeculiar masksâ on set while filming the movie sequel under Covid restrictions.. Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and 86-year-old Maggie Smith will all be back, along with some new faces, including Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West. After leaving Coronation Street, James-Collier had a leading role as under butler (formerly first footman) Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey, from 2010 to 2015, and has appeared in the West End stage version of Calendar Girls. âDownton Abbeyâ creator Julian Fellowes has written the sequelâs screenplay, and Simon Curtis (âMy Week With Marilynâ) is directing. James-Collier played Kevin O'Dowd in ITV's 2016 crime drama, The Level. Downton Abbey 2 has began filming, Hugh Bonneville has confirmed. It was announced today that Downton Abbey 2 is hitting the big screen on ⦠The latest news in entertainment from USA TODAY, including pop culture, celebrities, movies, music, books and TV reviews. The original principal cast returns, joined this time around by Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West. Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham (born 1866) is the patriarch of the Crawley family and the co-owner of Downton Abbey (along with his eldest daughter). Violet (played by Dame Maggie Smith) keeps everyone on ⦠Chicago will return to Broadway just in time for its 25th anniversary: The musical is set to reopen at the Ambassador Theatre on Tuesday, September 14. ⦠Downton Abbey was a huge hit during its run from 2010-2015 Credit: Nick Briggs It first aired in 2010 and became a huge hit, spanning six series and even a film version in 2019.