Michelle Dockery says Downton Abbey 3 is a "tribute to Maggie Smith"
We've been eagerly awaiting any news ahead of the Downton Abbey 3 movie, and now Michelle Dockery (aka Lady Mary Crawley) has revealed some hints about what to expect from the new instalment.
"It's a beautiful film," Michelle said in an interview with Collider, saying it was "such a treat to be able to come back together again" with the rest of the cast.
She also shared that the third film - which will be the final chapter of the franchise - will honour Dame Maggie Smith, who played the iconic Dowager Countess Violet Crawley and passed away last year.
"It's a real tribute to Maggie Smith," Michelle revealed, adding that she was, "really excited to see the final film."
She also said that she would have been "very happy to do one" film, but that it was "amazing" how much demand there was for more. "It's been an incredible experience," she said.
Downton Abbey took the world by storm when it debuted on ITV in 2010, gaining popularity throughout its six-season run until finally calling it a day in 2015.
The show followed the aristocratic Crawley family and their team of dedicated servants on the fictional Yorkshire Estate, Downton Abbey, from 1912 until 1925. While fans were devastated when the series came to a close, we didn't have to wave goodbye to our favourite characters for too long, as Downton returned with the first movie, followed by a sequel and now a third instalment.
Here's everything we know about the latest Downton Abbey film so far.
Downton Abbey 3 movie: release date
The film's release date isn't slated until the autumn, on 12 September 2025, so there's still some time to wait before we get a chance to watch it.
The third movie comes nearly 7 years after the first was announced in 2018.
Downton Abbey movie: cast - who’s in it?
We can expect to see favourites return including Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern as Lord and Lady Grantham and Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael as their daughters Mary and Edith. Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan are also back, as well as Robert James-Collier and Joanne Froggatt. Dominic West, who joined in the second film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, will also return as Guy Dexter.
Other starring names on the cast list include Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera and Douglas Reith.
Gathering a cast that’s now based all over the world has always been tricky for producers, and Downton's creator Julian Fellowes said while making the first film that the greatest challenge for the project was "rounding up the actors who have now gone off to the four corners of the earth, in Hollywood, on Broadway, doing plays, doing series, and so on," the Mirror reported.
One star who still isn't expected be in the movie is Lily James, who played Lady Rose in the series. The actress told People back in 2018 she wouldn't be in the first movie as her character wouldn't fit into its plot, so its unlikely she'll return again for this latest film.
"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... There was no space for Rose," she said. "But I’m so excited for it — I’m going to be front row," she added.
Downton Abbey 3 movie: What’s the plot?
Exact details of the plot have been kept closely under wraps, but with the return of Dominic West as Guy Dexter (who was ended the last film disappearing into the sunset with butler Thomas) there is likely to be development in this storyline.
Thanks to Michelle Dockery's comments, we know the film will pay tribute to Dame Maggie Smith's Lady Violet in some way, too.
Speaking on Heart Radio, Hugh Bonneville said, “The third film we filmed this Summer yes, so that will come out next September, and I think it’s very much the end of the story." He continued: "It's been a wonderful journey, and so I think the third one will be a great sign-off for fans of the show.”
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