Downton Abbey 2 release date, cast, trailer, synopsis and more

Period drama fans everywhere were thrilled to learn that we’d all be heading back to Downton Abbey with the long-awaited announcement of a sequel to the hit 2019 feature film. Titled simply Downton Abbey 2 the sequel will take us back to Highclere Castle and the lives of all our favorite characters.

The first Downton feature film was released in September 2019, after the drama had run for six mega-successful seasons on PBS’s Masterpiece. The idea that any TV franchise might crossover and find big-screen success is always a dicey bet, and more fail than triumph.

But Downton Abbey was an unqualified hit, raking in $237 million worldwide, making it a natural – and obvious – bet for a sequel. (Don’t bet against Maggie Smith, is the real lesson here.) That it’s finally getting one isn’t shocking – it probably wouldn’t have taken two years had the coronavirus pandemic not happened – but the news that one is coming is exciting all the same.

Below you can find our roundup of everything we know so far about this highly anticipated period drama sequel – including when we’ll see it in theaters, which actors will be back for the second film, and more.

Is Downton Abbey 2 happening?

Yes! Granted, after the critical and box office success of the first Downton Abbey feature film, the question of whether we were going to go back to see the Crawley family on the big screen again was really always a matter of when and not if.

I mean, did you see how much the first movie made? That’s Marvel-level money, y’all. Nobody was passing on another shot at that.

Downton Abbey 2 release date

Though Downton Abbey 2 was originally announced with a release date of December 22, 2021, in July of this year, Focus Features has pushed the initially scheduled date back three months to the spring of 2022.

Now titled Downton Abbey: A New Era, the film will throw open its doors on March 18, 2022.

Downton Abbey 2 synopsis

The plot of the sequel remains firmly under wraps.

The first Downton Abbey film followed the story of a royal visit to the Crawley family and Downton staff from the King and Queen of England, providing a perfect reason for the far-flung members of the clan to reunite at the family estate.

Could we see something similar in the sequel? Your guess is as good as ours at this point, but there will have to be some sort of precipitating event to bring the band back together, as it were. Given the fact that the first film revealed Dowager Countess Violet was suffering from a terminal illness, there’s a chance this story could begin with – or somehow include – her funeral.

Downton Abbey 2 cast

Nearly all the major original Downton Abbey cast members are returning for the sequel, including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, Penelope Wilton, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Rob James-Collier, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, Michael Fox, Sophie McShera, and Lesley Nicol.

Still no sign of Lily James, but since cousin Rose is happily married and living in America – and didn’t appear in the first film – fans won’t be shocked not to see her listed.

As Maggie Smith is listed as part of the original cast taking part, that sort of shoots a hole in the idea that Violet Crawley’s funeral might be a driving event of this story. But, well, I can’t be the only one that hopes she’ll live forever.

A handful of new faces have also joined the cast for this sequel, including Hugh Dancy, Dominic West, Laura Haddock, and well-known French actress Nathalie Baye.

Downton Abbey 2 trailer

Since production on Downton Abbey 2 has only just got underway, there’s no new footage to swoon over just yet and it will probably be some time before we see a full trailer. But as soon as one is released, we’ll be sure to let you know!

Are you looking forward to a second Downton Abbey movie? Sound off in the comments.