Watch out for film crews and movie stars visiting Newbury because production for the third Downton Abbey film is officially under way at Highclere Castle.
Film studios Focus Features and Carnival Films confirmed yesterday (Monday) that a third feature film in the beloved historical drama franchise will be coming to the silver screen.
The new film will be written by Downton creator Julian Fellowes and it will feature returning series stalwarts such as Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan and more.
In a video on social media, Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, said: “It feels amazing and emotional. It’s wonderful all to be back together again.
“We come back together and it’s like no time has passed at all.
“We are so happy to announce that we are in production for the third Downton Abbey movie. We can’t wait to see you.”
Downton Abbey – which ran for six seasons on television and branched out into cinema in 2019 – has always used Highclere Castle for its external shots, and most of the fictional country house’s interior shots are captured in Highclere as well.
In a blog post, Highclere’s Lady Carnarvon confirmed that production had begun and she reflected on Downton’s return to her stately home.
She said: “There is always a plan in advance for each day for which rooms they are in, how it is going to work that day, where all the directors and computer screens are, where the green room is and so on.
“Each day is both very busy and very still.
“Everyone rushes around and then you hear shouts of ‘silence’ when everything stops and a scene is rehearsed, fine-tuned until finally ready to shoot for the first take.
“As well as filming inside, some days – weather willing – will hopefully be spent outside around the lawns, on the paths and around the park.
“I still find it fascinating, turning short typed lines on a small piece of white thumbed paper into three dimensional characters with energy and lives shared on screens large and small.
“It is a huge team effort beginning with the writer, Julian Fellowes, to endless production and budgeting teams, then teams on the ground and finally the cast.
“It is a leap of imagination and faith and all of it irresistible.
“In this fragile world I hope that Downton Abbey offers all of us a world apart and time out.
“Thank you to all the teams who make it possible.”
