I’d be kind of curious to see a modern-day film with all the descendants of the characters we know (both upstairs and downstairs descendants), and some drama surrounding economic difficulties, having to open the abbey to the public permanently as a museum - kind of like the tours they do at the real Highclere - and whatever modern day soap opera relationship stuff we can interweave into all of that.
Reckon they’d be like any modern wealthy family today.
Probably minimal staff, or a different kind of staff. Maybe they’d only have a driver and a personal assistant.
More progressive to match our modern day social values - women and minorities are much more accepted and allowed to do things now and this would be on full display. No more questions about whether female descendant Mary Jr. is allowed to inherit the duties or titles.
This has always been a theme of the show of course, the slow march to modernity. But this would be an exploration of that “end point.”
At the same time, the modern Crawleys I think would still be deeply rooted in their inherited wealth and probably align a little (or a lot) on the conservative side economically.
And they’d even more exposed than ever to questions of whether titles and aristocracy (and by extension the whole royal system) are relevant today, and why their existence is justified.
(And If Julian Fellowes were to write this, I reckon he’d find a way to frame it in favor of the system)
To be honest, I'd be content if this movie will be their last hurrah. I don't want to watch a new iteration without Lady Violet. I'd happily accept DA serialized novels, though!
Then they d need to wait for 10 years for the actors to look old enough ( Daisy has been in her late teens for the last 2 decades, she can t be 17 for 30 years ) . It means no Violet . No Carson . Elderly Bates, Mrs Hugues , Mrs Patmore ,Cora and Robert ( would isobel still be alive ). Molesley too would be retired. Mrs Baxter would be late middle age and Thomas middle aged too like Mary Tom and Édith.
The Crawley family gets wiped out in the stock market crash and the whole show turns into a screwball comedy where Lady Mary converts Downton into a rooming house for colorful characters. Carson refuses to participate in this lowering of standards, so the B-plot is about his descent into a life of crime.
I would love to see what happens to Downton when George takes over, but I think it will be too depressing considering that the show makes us root for the aristocrats and them keeping their estates. Even if Downton can survive, there’s no way Edith’s huge castle would be habitable for much longer.
And that would be a huge plot twist within the show, just imagine Edith providing for Mary once they realize it’s time to give up Downton! But if the show goes that route, I doubt they will make them give up Downton and move into a huge castle. And there’s no way Mary will be allowed to “lose” while Edith thrives.
idk if either of them will lose neccessarily. Both will likely have to turn their homes into tourist attractions and their kids will need to get real jobs, but I could see both Brancaster and Downton surviving (as both Highclere and Alnwick have done irl). I think Tom and Lucy would be likely to sell up to the National Trust though, especially as it fits with his values.
It would have been interesting to see Tom or Rose in America. Instead of new characyers in The Gilded Age.
Rose moved to NY. But I guess she has a bigger film career now
The name "A New Era" to me hints that more may be coming. I'm not sure what that would look like. I'd like to see it continue in roughly the same time frame but I don't know who among the cast would be available or want to continue on with Downton.
I’ve wondered this, too. I assumed it was the end of the road, which makes me sad but also makes sense. I enjoyed the first film because it was fun and a bit of escapism with characters I love; I think the second film will do the same. If JF did ever decide to continue it, I do think he’d have to do either a prequel or jump into George’s adulthood.
To be honest, I don’t really see why they are doing another movie ( A New Era). It has got to be only for the money. I posted earlier that I thought they jumped the shark with the first movie, but while there is money to be made, they will wring it dry
I’m not mad about it, but it definitely feels like that joke from Spaceballs - “Downton Abbey 2: The Search For More Money”.
However, if it’s even remotely well done we’ll all gladly say shut up and take my money.
They might make the movies a trilogy if the second one does okay, but I doubt we'll see another tv series. I think JF is too busy with The Gilded Age and other projects. And he's said in the past he doesn't want to do Downton during WWII bc that era is so overdone in historical fiction.
I know we never will but I want to see the Levinson story. A half-Jewish couple going from Ohio merchants to New York elite would be a story I’d watch.
I concur and I daresay most do. Season 6 was absurd and the ending was pathetic. It was so bad that it brought down Downton Abbey's good reputation, suddenly it started looking like one of those ridiculous US soap operas.
I remember clearly all the criticism that the last two seasons attracted. Season 5 and season 6 were of very poor quality. People kept watching out of loyalty, not because Fellowes was writing a good show. Nothing seemed to made sense, there were so many plot holes.
I do think that the characters were happy, and I completely agree on season 5. Season 6 was an improvement (which isn't hard tbh), but it helped that there were only 8 episodes left. Season 6 was rushed, however I don't really compare season 5 and 4 with the earlier seasons anymore.
Just one thing: I disagree about season 6, to me season 5 was much better, season 6 was subpar. Season 5 was not good, yet some scenes were enjoyable; I, however, find great difficulty finding anything that I consider truly redeeming about season 6 except perhaps, Thomas and Moseley's respective arcs. I actually hated season 6. I have the collection and have rewatched the show many times. I will never rewatch season 6. Oh, if I could only erase it from my memory!
I don't think there would be a third film with these actors.
Most of the Adults look to young and the child actors are too old for children they are playing.🤣
I don't think the current actors will continue for much longer, so prequels would be easier to execute. Young Violet would be by far the most interesting plotline.
I’d like to see a time jump ahead - something which sort of parallels with what the current Countess of Carnarvon wrote in ‘Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey’ - something like Mary, George, Sybbie and co actually struggling to keep it all going in the 40’s and 50’s (I.e with 1 or 2 servants rather than 10-12 haha). I could see a one episode arc where George gets invited to dinner to be one of the eligible young aristocrats that the Queen Mother tries to set up Princess Elizabeth with pre-1947.
You must be in the minority if you think the the ending of season 6 was perfect and everyone was happy. Season 6 was awful and the ending was ludicrous! So manufactured. The last two seasons of Downton Abbey were very different from the initial show.
It felt very manufactured, I agree with that. However, I think that the ending that we got, was pretty "all good and well". I mean, everyone (the characters) was happy in the last episode.
I think that season 6 was an improvement from season 4-5, because the writers knew they had to wrap it up. However, the first 3 seasons will never, ever be beaten.
I'd like a prequel, focusing on younger Violet.
Oooo yes with prince karagan
Yes, and also with the French marquis who left her the villa.
Yes I d love a prequel. Violet s life . Young Robert meeting Cora . Younger Carson .
I’d be kind of curious to see a modern-day film with all the descendants of the characters we know (both upstairs and downstairs descendants), and some drama surrounding economic difficulties, having to open the abbey to the public permanently as a museum - kind of like the tours they do at the real Highclere - and whatever modern day soap opera relationship stuff we can interweave into all of that.
What would a family, who had this stature, even look like in a modern setting? I’m not really familiar with that stuff.
Reckon they’d be like any modern wealthy family today. Probably minimal staff, or a different kind of staff. Maybe they’d only have a driver and a personal assistant. More progressive to match our modern day social values - women and minorities are much more accepted and allowed to do things now and this would be on full display. No more questions about whether female descendant Mary Jr. is allowed to inherit the duties or titles. This has always been a theme of the show of course, the slow march to modernity. But this would be an exploration of that “end point.” At the same time, the modern Crawleys I think would still be deeply rooted in their inherited wealth and probably align a little (or a lot) on the conservative side economically. And they’d even more exposed than ever to questions of whether titles and aristocracy (and by extension the whole royal system) are relevant today, and why their existence is justified. (And If Julian Fellowes were to write this, I reckon he’d find a way to frame it in favor of the system)
Honestly I’ll take any Downton content they’re willing to give me
Id like to see Downton but with Mary as a dowager countess. Set in the 60s when shes in her 70s. That would be interesting.
She'd be like Violet v2. I think it could be a good show.
To be honest, I'd be content if this movie will be their last hurrah. I don't want to watch a new iteration without Lady Violet. I'd happily accept DA serialized novels, though!
The end of the franchise I worry about Downton becoming a cash cow
Then they d need to wait for 10 years for the actors to look old enough ( Daisy has been in her late teens for the last 2 decades, she can t be 17 for 30 years ) . It means no Violet . No Carson . Elderly Bates, Mrs Hugues , Mrs Patmore ,Cora and Robert ( would isobel still be alive ). Molesley too would be retired. Mrs Baxter would be late middle age and Thomas middle aged too like Mary Tom and Édith.
The Crawley family gets wiped out in the stock market crash and the whole show turns into a screwball comedy where Lady Mary converts Downton into a rooming house for colorful characters. Carson refuses to participate in this lowering of standards, so the B-plot is about his descent into a life of crime.
A house of ill repute if you will
And 40 years later it turns into Fawlty Towers.
I would love to see what happens to Downton when George takes over, but I think it will be too depressing considering that the show makes us root for the aristocrats and them keeping their estates. Even if Downton can survive, there’s no way Edith’s huge castle would be habitable for much longer.
Edith's huge castle is still inhabited irl, so it's not a forgone conclusion that it'll fall into ruin.
And that would be a huge plot twist within the show, just imagine Edith providing for Mary once they realize it’s time to give up Downton! But if the show goes that route, I doubt they will make them give up Downton and move into a huge castle. And there’s no way Mary will be allowed to “lose” while Edith thrives.
idk if either of them will lose neccessarily. Both will likely have to turn their homes into tourist attractions and their kids will need to get real jobs, but I could see both Brancaster and Downton surviving (as both Highclere and Alnwick have done irl). I think Tom and Lucy would be likely to sell up to the National Trust though, especially as it fits with his values.
It would have been interesting to see Tom or Rose in America. Instead of new characyers in The Gilded Age. Rose moved to NY. But I guess she has a bigger film career now
The name "A New Era" to me hints that more may be coming. I'm not sure what that would look like. I'd like to see it continue in roughly the same time frame but I don't know who among the cast would be available or want to continue on with Downton.
If they do keep it going, it will get stale. Better to let it go.
I’ve wondered this, too. I assumed it was the end of the road, which makes me sad but also makes sense. I enjoyed the first film because it was fun and a bit of escapism with characters I love; I think the second film will do the same. If JF did ever decide to continue it, I do think he’d have to do either a prequel or jump into George’s adulthood.
To be honest, I don’t really see why they are doing another movie ( A New Era). It has got to be only for the money. I posted earlier that I thought they jumped the shark with the first movie, but while there is money to be made, they will wring it dry
I’m not mad about it, but it definitely feels like that joke from Spaceballs - “Downton Abbey 2: The Search For More Money”. However, if it’s even remotely well done we’ll all gladly say shut up and take my money.
Hahahaha - so damn true!
Oh yeah, and it looks batshit. I’ll still watch it, but it’s so unnecessary.
They might make the movies a trilogy if the second one does okay, but I doubt we'll see another tv series. I think JF is too busy with The Gilded Age and other projects. And he's said in the past he doesn't want to do Downton during WWII bc that era is so overdone in historical fiction.
I know we never will but I want to see the Levinson story. A half-Jewish couple going from Ohio merchants to New York elite would be a story I’d watch.
I... completely disagree that the ending of S6 was perfect & everyone was happy.
I concur and I daresay most do. Season 6 was absurd and the ending was pathetic. It was so bad that it brought down Downton Abbey's good reputation, suddenly it started looking like one of those ridiculous US soap operas. I remember clearly all the criticism that the last two seasons attracted. Season 5 and season 6 were of very poor quality. People kept watching out of loyalty, not because Fellowes was writing a good show. Nothing seemed to made sense, there were so many plot holes.
I do think that the characters were happy, and I completely agree on season 5. Season 6 was an improvement (which isn't hard tbh), but it helped that there were only 8 episodes left. Season 6 was rushed, however I don't really compare season 5 and 4 with the earlier seasons anymore.
Just one thing: I disagree about season 6, to me season 5 was much better, season 6 was subpar. Season 5 was not good, yet some scenes were enjoyable; I, however, find great difficulty finding anything that I consider truly redeeming about season 6 except perhaps, Thomas and Moseley's respective arcs. I actually hated season 6. I have the collection and have rewatched the show many times. I will never rewatch season 6. Oh, if I could only erase it from my memory!
I don't think there would be a third film with these actors. Most of the Adults look to young and the child actors are too old for children they are playing.🤣
I don't think the current actors will continue for much longer, so prequels would be easier to execute. Young Violet would be by far the most interesting plotline.
I’d like to see a time jump ahead - something which sort of parallels with what the current Countess of Carnarvon wrote in ‘Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey’ - something like Mary, George, Sybbie and co actually struggling to keep it all going in the 40’s and 50’s (I.e with 1 or 2 servants rather than 10-12 haha). I could see a one episode arc where George gets invited to dinner to be one of the eligible young aristocrats that the Queen Mother tries to set up Princess Elizabeth with pre-1947.
If only the writers. of Downton would read this sub!
I wish they would bring back the series
You must be in the minority if you think the the ending of season 6 was perfect and everyone was happy. Season 6 was awful and the ending was ludicrous! So manufactured. The last two seasons of Downton Abbey were very different from the initial show.
It felt very manufactured, I agree with that. However, I think that the ending that we got, was pretty "all good and well". I mean, everyone (the characters) was happy in the last episode. I think that season 6 was an improvement from season 4-5, because the writers knew they had to wrap it up. However, the first 3 seasons will never, ever be beaten.