Conspicuous in her absence from that announcement, however, was The Crown’s Imelda Staunton, who appeared as lady-in-waiting Maud Bagshaw in both Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture and Downton Abbey: A New Era, and is, of course, married to Jim Carter of Carson fame. Back in March 2024, she told BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball that, yes, “There will be a final film—there you go.” Ball, in terribly British fashion, then apologized if she had prompted Staunton to speak out of NDA-clad turn. The Oscar nominee’s Violet Crawley-esque response? “I don’t care.” She’s sure to be missed by fans, as will, of course, be the late, great Maggie Smith.
And as for those joining the Downton Abbey franchise for the first time? Expect to see Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan. Meanwhile, the show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, has penned the third feature, the second film’s helmer, Simon Curtis, is returning to direct, and while plot details are under wraps, a first trailer has now been released. The sweeping music alone is enough to give you goosebumps.
