Will ‘Downton Abbey’ Reunion Movie Include Dan Stevens? Matthew Actor Seen With Co-Stars

Dan Stevens had a “Downton Abbey” reunion over the weekend. The actor posted a photo with former co-stars Michelle Dockery and Allen Leech, and his caption got fans rather excited.

“Should Matthew have a mustache for the #DowntonAbbeyMovie?” Stevens asked fans on Instagram before instructing them to vote with emojis.

Fans voted enthusiastically in the comments section, but they probably shouldn’t get too excited. The photo was not taken on set in the U.K. but instead, it was snapped in Los Angeles. He also is not a confirmed cast member for the “Downton Abbey” movie. While it would be nice for Matthew to appear in a dream or flashback, Stevens may have simply made a joke after catching up with friends.

Dockery, who played Matthew’s wife Lady Mary, shared the same black and white photo on social media with the simple caption, “Dorks.”

Stevens’ character would be difficult to bring back. Matthew Crawley died in a Season 3 car accident, upsetting many fans. He told the Mirror in 2017 that he still finds himself confronted by “Downton Abbey” fans who are not pleased by his gruesome sendoff.

“I’m still apologizing to people now,” Stevens revealed. “The way Matthew went was out of my hands — but it was rather shocking. There were some very upset people and I’ve had to apologize to a lot of people over the past four years. But I take it as a compliment that Matthew was so loved on the show.”

Though Matthew’s death was the choice of the writers, it was Stevens choice to leave the show after three seasons. “I’ve done a lot since then though,” he added. “So hopefully people are seeing what I have been up to and are beginning to understand why I wanted to move on.” The actor has since gone on to star in the live-action “Beauty and the Beast” and he’ll lead the third season of his Marvel/FX drama “Legion” next year.

Not every “Downton Abbey” cast member can return for the movie. Rose actress Lily James recently reunited with several “Downton Abbey” cast members for “Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society.” However, she will not appear in the official reunion film because the storyline is too packed.

“I would have loved to have come back for a scene, but for a movie it can’t be like a Christmas special and it needs to be a focused storyline,” James told People. “There was no space for Rose.”

Production on the “Downton Abbey” movie is set to start this fall in England.