‘Downton Abbey’ Movie: Trailer, Release Date, Cast And Everything We Know So Far

It’s almost time to go back to Downton Abbey! Creator Julian Fellowes has reunited the cast for another tale about the Crawley family, but details are scarce. Still, fans know a few things about the “Downton Abbey” movie.

Release Date: Though the trailer was released Tuesday, it’ll be a little while before this flick hits theaters. The “Downton Abbey” movie will release on Friday, Sept. 20.

Trailer: The full-length trailer, seen at the top of this page, makes it clear that times are changing. Edith (Laura Carmichael) is traveling without any staffers, and a former staff member is asked to come out of retirement for a big occasion.

Plot: The movie is set in the summer of 1927, and it’ll follow a royal visit. King George V and Queen Mary were reigning at the time, so expect fictionalized versions of the royals to stop by. With times changing and funding decreasing, the household doesn’t have a massive staff anymore. Naturally, it’s the right time to bring Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) back to the Abbey.

Cast: Expect all of the Downton favorites to make an appearance. In addition to Edith and Mr. Carson, expect Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle), Mary (Michelle Dockery), Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle), Mr. Parker (Michael Fox), Anna (Joanne Froggatt), Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode), Bertie (Harry Hadden-Paton), Thomas (Robert James-Collier), Tom Branson (Allen Leech), Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan), Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), Daisy (Sophie McShera), Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol), Isobel (Penelope Wilton) and Violet (Maggie Smith) in the movie.

New Characters: Imelda Stanton has joined the cast as Lady Bagshaw. Geraldine James, Tuppence Middleton, Stephen Campbell Moore, Kate Phillips, David Haig and Michael Fox also joined the ensemble as new characters.

Based In History: No, Downton Abbey is not real, but this story is not as far-fetched as some might think. The royals really did make visits to such households. Fellowes revealed in a Twitter Q&A that their actual royal tours made a story like this one seem believable.