When will the Downton Abbey sequel be out and what is it called?

The much-loved Downton Abbey - with its huge following in Britain and around the world - is set to return to the big screen for a second helping next year.

Released in 2019, the first Downton Abbey movie was a global smash, and it won’t be long before fans are able to immerse themselves in the sequel.

The new film’s official title has just been announced, and anticipation among fans of the series is ratcheting up. Here’s what we know so far about the new Downton flick.

What is Downton Abbey 2 called?

The film is long known simply as Downton Abbey 2 among fans now has a proper title. It’ll be called Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Some footage from the film was shown at CinemaCon in Las Vegas as a teaser, and it shows the Crawley family and their staff preparing for an overseas trip. It isn’t yet known when this teaser will be revealed to the wider public.

Downton Abbey enjoys a huge worldwide following and the new movie is hotly anticipated (PA)

When will Downton Abbey 2 be released?

Downton Abbey: A New Era is scheduled to hit cinemas on March 18th, 2022. It had previously been pencilled in for a December release just in time for Christmas, but was postponed.

Filming for the movie was wrapped up in July, having been delayed by the pandemic.

Who’s writing Downton Abbey 2?

Julian Fellowes has returned to write Downton Abbey: A New Era. Fellowes, Downton Abbey’s creator, has written or co-written every episode of the TV series, as well as the first movie.

However, the new film has been directed by a newcomer in Simon Curtis, whose previous works include the critically-acclaimed 2011 drama My Week with Marilyn.

Curtis replaces Michael Engler, who directed both the first film and several episodes of the TV series.

Hugh Bonneville returns for the new Downton Abbey flick alongside other fan favourites (Joe Maher/Getty Images)

Who’ll be in Downton Abbey 2?

A number of fan favourites are back for Downton Abbey: A New Era. These include Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Imelda Staunton and Michelle Dockery.

They’re joined by a number of new faces, too. Among the newcomers are Laura Haddock, Dominic West, Hugh Dancy and Nathalie Baye. It’s unconfirmed which new characters they’re playing, however.

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