Will Downton Abbey come back in 2022?

Downton Abbey: A New Era is the sequel to the hugely popular 2019 Downton Abbey movie, which itself was a spin-off from the legendary TV series.

Fans will be delighted to know that all the main cast are back for the Downton Abbey sequel, including Dame Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, and Elizabeth McGovern. Plus a string of new cast members including Dominic West.

Filming took place in 2021 and Dominic West has spoken about how nervous he was to join the cast. Speaking on Downton Abbey: The Official Podcast he said: "It's very daunting coming onto a show that's been going for so long that is such a big phenomenon and such a big success."

The movie has been getting some positive reviews and looks like it's a must-watch for fans. Our Downton Abbey review says to look out for the many hilarious one-liners and brilliant "in-jokes" for fans

 Here's everything we know about Downton Abbey: A New Era...

Where to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era

Downton Abbey: A New Era is available to stream on Peacock in the US. In the UK it's only available for digital rental. Check out our full guide on how to watch Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Will Downton Abbey come back in 2022?

(Image credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage)

Downton Abbey: A New Era plot

All our favourites are back for Downton Abbey: A New Era. (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

The trailer for Downton: A New Era (which you can watch below) revealed a string of crucial plot details. In a highly amusing segment, Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) says: "Years ago before you were born, I met a man...". A revelation that leaves her son Robert (Hugh Bonneville) looking suitably stunned. She then goes on to reveal that the mysterious man has given her a French villa! "What?!" exclaims Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery).

Penelope Wilton returns as Isobel Merton and Maggie Smith as Violet Grantham in the new movie.  (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

So, we know the Crawleys will be heading off to France for a new adventure. It certainly looks like they will be having a lot of fun... and it also seems there might be more to Violet's inheritance than meets the eye.

First-look photos from Downton Abbey: A New Era

New images of the movie have been released, you can see the Crawley family on their trip to France in the gallery below...

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Will Downton Abbey come back in 2022?

The family enjoy lunch in the French sunshine. (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

Bertie Pelham, Lady Edith, Lucy Smith and Tom Branson head out for a game of tennis. (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

The Crawleys are welcomed to France by Madame and Mr Montmirail (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

Cora Grantham and Lady Edith Hexham on the boat to France. (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

The trailer also shows scenes from a wedding. So who's getting married? Well, it's widower Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and maid Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton). We know the wedding goes through without too many hitches as the cast list refers to a Lucy Branson. 

You can see more pictures of Tom and Lucy in the gallery below... 

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Tom and Lucy tie the knot in the second Downton Abbey movie. (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

Tom and Lucy look the picture of happiness together. (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

Is Tom finally getting the happy ending he deserves? (Image credit: Ben Blackall / © 2022 Focus Features LLC)

Downton Abbey: A New Era cast

All the main cast are back. So from upstairs, we welcome back the likes of Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley), Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), and Penelope Wilton (Isobel Merton). 

While downstairs back on duty will be Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), Robert James-Collier (Thomas Barrow), Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore), Sophie McShera (Daisy), and Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates).

The new cast announced are Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye, Dominic West, and Hugh Dancy, who discussed filming the movie with us.

Why isn't Henry on the Downton Abbey: A New Era poster?! (Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Downton Abbey: A New Era trailers

The full trailer for Downton Abbey: A New Era was released on February 15, 2022 and sees the Abbey thrown into disarray as Lady Mary's allowed the historic building to be used as a film set. Meanwhile, a select few members of the family travel to the south of France to uncover the "mysterious past" behind Violet Crawley's newly-inherited villa. 

You can watch the trailer below:

You can also watch the official teaser trailer that was released back in November 2021 below:

What was the original title of Downton Abbey: A New Era?

It was initially just called Downton Abbey 2, which isn't the most exciting title ever. Elizabeth McGovern posted on Instagram back in April a snap that also indicated the aim originally was to have a Christmas 2021 release.

What year does Downton Abbey 2022 take place?

Downton Abbey: A New Era, out May 18, is set in 1928 and finds the Crawley family enjoying the last years of the Roaring Twenties in various gigantic homes before the Great Depression arrives. In A New Era, the family finds out they've inherited yet another gorgeous property: A villa in the South of France.

What network will Downton Abbey be on in 2022?

Therefore, you should see Downton Abbey: A New Era on Peacock as early as early July 2022. This is because, starting with the 2022 film slate, Universal movies will come to Peacock Premium as soon as 45 days after opening in theaters.

Is Downton Abbey going to be a series again?

As mentioned before, Downton Abbey 3 has yet to be officially confirmed so it doesn't have a release date yet. However, series creator and the films' writer Julian Fellowes said that "if [audiences] want more and the cast wants to do more, then I'm sure we'll find a way of delivering more" (via Sky).

Will there be a season 7 of Downton?

Sadly, there is no plans for a seventh season of Downton Abbey. Luckily, fans also have the Downton Abbey films to watch and continue their love of this series. In 2019, the first film was released, with many of the original cast reprising their roles.