Following the smashing success of Downton Abbey: A New Era, speculation has abounded about Downton Abbey 3, and now the highly-anticipated third film is officially on the way. 2022’s A New Era reunites series creator Julian Fellowes with nearly the entire main cast and the Downton Abbey movie series has continued the saga of the Crawley family and their servants after 6 hit TV seasons. The possibility of more was always on the table, and now a trilogy-capping third film can finally complete the beloved series.
Downton Abbey: A New Era broadened the scope of the saga’s world while successfully juggling over 30 beloved characters and multiple storylines. The sequel also marked seismic changes and new beginnings for the Crawleys, who are on the cusp of entering the “modern world” of the 1930s. Now that the “New Era” has begun, the timeline of Downton Abbey can press further into the 20th century, which opens the door for any number of exciting storylines. Downton Abbey 3 is possibly the conclusion of the entire franchise, a momentous but sad time for fans of the series.
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Downton Abbey 3 Latest News
The Third Movie Will Honor The Late Maggie Smith
Though there is joy surrounding the upcoming movie, there is also a hint of sadness with the passing of franchise star Maggie Smith. The latest news confirms that Downton Abbey 3 will honor Smith’s legacy, even though she will not appear in the movie. According to Hugh Bonneville (who played Smith’s son in the series), Downton Abbey 3 will be “a great lasting tribute to her,” though he didn’t provide any details. Dame Smith passed away in late September 2024, a month or so after the movie wrapped filming.
Read Bonneville’s full quote here:
We finished a third – and I think probably final – Downton Abbey film this summer, which will come out next September. That is a wonderful sort of closing off of all the stories, so it’s a proper film for the fans. It’s very much set in the house and saying goodbye to all these characters, and we obviously say goodbye to Dame Maggie, which was very poignant on screen and now in real life. She’ll be sorely missed. But the final film will obviously be a great lasting tribute to her.
Downton Abbey 3 Release Date
The Threequel Arrives In September 2025
Though much is still unknown about the upcoming trilogy-capping film, Focus Features has scheduled a release date for Downton Abbey 3. The highly-anticipated historical drama will arrive on September 12, 2025, and will likely see a wide theatrical release like its two predecessors. This date comes more than a year after the film wrapped in August 2024, but no reason has been given for the lengthy delay. The first Downton Abbey film was also released in September, but A New Era arrived in May. It could be that a summer release is more likely to produce a blockbuster.
Downton Abbey premiered on September 20, 2019, and grossed $194 million (via Box Office Mojo). Meanwhile, Downton Abbey: A New Era premiered on May 20, 2022, and grossed $92 million (via Box Office Mojo).
Downton Abbey 3 Cast Details
An All-Star Cast For The Threequel
The Downton Abbey cast has returned consistently, Downton Abbey 3 is already promising many of the beloved characters from the TV show and movies. The major exception would be Maggie Smith, who finally closed the book on the Dowager Countess in A New Era. Meanwhile, Matthew Goode was unable to reprise Mary’s husband Henry Talbot, but there’s a chance he could still come back. Downton‘s fans also clamor for Lily James to return as Lady Rose, and she could finally come back in Downton Abbey 3. One major newcomer is Paul Giamatti who will reprise his role from the TV series as the free-spirited Levinson.
The confirmed cast of Downton Abbey 3 includes:
Actor | Downton Abbey 3 Role | |
Allen Leech | Tom Branson | 
|
Dominic West | Guy Dexter | 
|
Tuppence Middleton | Lucy Branson | 
|
Imelda Staunton | Lady Bagshaw | 
|
Elizabeth McGovern | Cora Grantham | 
|
Hugh Bonneville | Robert Grantham | 
|
Michelle Dockery | Lady Mary | 
|
Samantha Bond | Lady Rosamund | 
|
Phyllis Logan | Mrs. Hughes | 
|
Laura Carmichael | Lady Edith | 
|
Robert James-Collier | Thomas Barrow | 
|
Harry Hadden-Paton | Bertie Hexham | 
|
Joanne Froggatt | Anna Bates | 
|
Penelope Wilton | Isobel Merton | 
|
Douglas Reith | Lord Merton | 
|
Jim Carter | Mr. Carson | 
|
Michael Fox | Andy Parker | 
|
Sophie McShera | Daisy Parker | 
|
Lesley Nicol | Beryl Patmore | 
|
Raquel Cassidy | Phyllis Baxter | 
|
Brendan Coyle | John Bates | 
|
Kevin Doyle | Joseph Molesley | 
|
Paul Giamatti | Levinson | 
|
Joely Richardson | Unknown | 
|
Alessandro Nivola | Unknown | 
|
Simon Russell Beale | Unknown | 
|
Arty Froushan | Unknown | 
|
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Downton Abbey 3 Story Details
What Can Happen In The Final Film
Since the early part of the 20th century is the time period for the franchise, it seems appropriate to end the series where the early 20th century also ended.
There are certainly many possibilities for Downton Abbey to continue from where A New Era leaves the story. Although A New Era finally says goodbye to Maggie Smith’s Lady Violet, the Crawleys welcome new members to the family in Tom Branson’s new bride, Lucy, and their newborn baby. Meanwhile, Thomas Barrow left his position as Downton’s butler, which means Mr. Carson must return to train Andy Parker to take his place.
Most interestingly, the film can also be set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1930s where economic turmoil and the outbreak of another World War could serve as bookends for the franchise. Downton Abbey‘s first season involved the dark early days of WWI, and it is fitting that Downton Abbey 3 could usher in the beginning of WWII. Since the early part of the 20th century is the time period for the franchise, it seems appropriate to end the series where the early 20th century also ended.
As the Crawley family navigates the 1930s, they face new challenges and opportunities. With Lady Mary taking on a leadership role after the passing of the Dowager Countess, the household is drawn into a series of social and political events that test their unity and resilience. New romances blossom while old relationships are put to the test, and secrets from the past resurface to haunt the present.
- Release Date
-
September 12, 2025
- Cast
-
Michelle Dockery
, Joely Richardson
, Paul Giamatti
, Dominic West
, Elizabeth McGovern
, Hugh Bonneville
, Joanne Froggatt
, Allen Leech - Director
-
Simon Curtis
- Writers
-
Julian Fellowes