Hugh Bonneville Responds to Rumors of ‘Downton Abbey’ TV Comeback

Martin Holmes
9 Comments
Hugh Bonneville in Downton Abbey
Nick Briggs / © Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Julian Fellowes‘ hit period drama returned to the big screen earlier this year with Downton Abbey: A New Era, but could the series be returning to television?

Hugh Bonneville, who played Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, in the TV series and its two movie spinoffs, has responded to rumors in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

While Bonneville said he hadn’t heard about the speculation that NBCUniversal and production firm Carnival want to bring Downton back as a TV series, he did have an idea about what form a new series might take. “I suspect, if there is [a new series], it would be a reboot. An origin story or something like that,” he said.

Bonneville pointed to the success of fellow period drama Bridgerton for how a new series of Downton might look. “I mean, there’s clearly an appetite for these sorts of shows. Bridgerton has been a magnificent success,” he continued. “So if you can capture the younger generation to enjoy people in frocks, then go for it.”

However, he added that it would be “immensely unlikely” that the original cast would be back. “It’s seven years since we did the TV show. Returning as we did for those two films was really lovely, but I think there’ll be a whole new generation, like Star Wars spinning off all over the place,” he stated.

That said, when questioned on if he would be interested in returning if asked, the Paddington star explained, “I literally hadn’t thought of it. I have no idea. I’d never say never. I’d do anything for the right money.”

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In terms of a third Downton movie, Bonneville said he believed “it’s run its course now,” noting, “I think [A New Era] was a good time to quit.” He continued, “I’m never gonna second guess the future, but did think for a while, actually, yeah, why not, let’s keep going. But I do think it could get a bit thin. I think the second film was such a joyous one and such a good note on which to end the story. And it does feel like it can end.”

Downton Abbey: A New Era, Streaming, Peacock

Downton Abbey, Seasons 1 – 6, Streaming, Peacock

Downton Abbey (2010)Downton Abbey: A New EraHugh Bonneville



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  1. O

    OliveDice

    I see the commenters angry that the Hallmark movies have interracial storylines have moved over to Downtown Abbey comments now, pathetic

    1. R

      RedToast

      SJWs don't realize that forced diversity makes more enemies than supporters. That's one reason many Hallmark actors are jumping ship and going to GAC. And rewriting history isn't fooling anyone.

  2. R

    RedLobster

    True. There were never POCs in British or American aristocracy in the 19th or early 20th centuries.

    2 2

  3. O

    OrangeBike

    The second movie was pure joy and everything the first movie should have been. My only complaint - if this is indeed the end - is that Lady Mary (who was frumpy in this film) is the only character without a truly happy ending. A character "resigned to her fate" is not my idea of a happy ending. (I love Downton Abbey and would watch as many films as they want to produce and will continue to rewatch the series and films for years to come.)

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    1. P

      PurpleScooter

      I have a hard time feeling sorry for Mary because she's always been such a snobbish pill. Her consistent, lifelong diminshment of Edith was cruel and uncalled for.

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      1. G

        GreenBowtie

        Ditto. I disliked her so much that I never bothered to watch her in Good Behavior or anything else.

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        1. O

          OliveDice

          Umm Lady Mary was never in Good Behavior, that's Michelle Dockery, an actress!

          1. R

            RedToast

            You miss the point. She was so unlikable that the actress herself became unpalatable.

      2. P

        PurpleButterfly

        Well, I was never a fan of Lady Edith. I found her whiny and pathetic. In season one, she was conniving, spiteful, vindictive and the real you-know-what. (She wrote to the Turkish Embassy...)

        She always pursued married (Farmer in season 2, Michael Gregson) or unattainable/undesirable men ("Patrick" - season 2, Matthew - season 1, Anthony Strallan) and then cried "Woe is me." That whole Marigold story was a chore to endure. Even in the first movie, she whined about her pregnancy and Bertie having to go abroad. Blah, blah, blah. She was always made everything a crisis.

        Sisters can be nasty to each other at times (IRL and in fiction) and that nastiness wasn't a one-way street on DA... and you know what? Mary apologized. Edith NEVER did. I was and will always be Team Mary all the way.