‘We’re Desperate to Do It’: Hugh Bonneville’s Downton Abbey reveals he’s seen a sequel and will make the film ‘once Covid’s under control’
Hugh Bonneville has revealed that he saw a screenplay for a sequel to Downton Abbey and says it will probably happen once Covid is ‘in a sensible way’ under control.
The 57-year-old actor, who plays Lord Grantham in the 2019 movie and previous series of the drama, talked about plans for another film in The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show.
He told the BBC Radio 2 program: ‘Here’s the thing: if everyone who gets a vaccine takes a vaccine, we can make a movie, we’ll make a movie.’
Coming soon? Hugh Bonneville has revealed that he saw a screenplay for a sequel to Downton Abbey, saying it would probably happen once Covid was ‘in a sensible way’ under control.
The actor, who is a volunteer marshal at a vaccination center in Covid, told Zoe that he saw a screenplay for the film and said, ‘The planets circle. They are starting to get in line.
“There’s a thing called coronavirus that beats and until it’s controlled in a meaningful way, we will not be able to get all the ducks in a row.”
He added: ‘But there is definitely an intention to do so. We would love to do that. We are desperate to do that. ‘
Hugh also said he thinks the audience will ‘enjoy’ another Downton film after the ‘mess we’ve been thinking over the past year’.
In character: The 57-year-old actor plays Lord Grantham in the 2019 movie and the previous series of the hit-period drama (pictured with Elizabeth McGovern as Cora, Lady Grantham)
In the Downton Abbey film, beloved characters Robert (Hugh) and Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern) are told that they will be visited by the king and queen and the estate must prepare for the royal visit.
However, the family has a number of setbacks and problems along the way, including a suspected assassination attempt.
Cast members, including Matthew Goode, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Lady Maggie Smith, all returned for the film.
The Daily Mail revealed on Thursday that Maggie Smith, who plays Violet Crawley, and French actress Nathalie Baye will appear together in Downton 2.
Fingers crossed: Hugh said ‘if everyone who gets a vaccine can take a vaccine, we can make a movie’ (Michelle Dockery as Mary and Elizabeth as Cora in the 2019 film)
The sequel to the Downton Abbey film will begin filming under the strictest Covid security protocols in late March or early April.
Downton 2 will be the last Earl of Grantham’s Countess. The theatrical lady has delighted Downton fans since the series, created by Julian Fellowes, which was launched on ITV in 2010.
In the new Downton movie, Ms Baye plays an old friend of Violet who comes to visit her. Of course, the Countess will be surrounded by her family as usual – including Hugh’s Lord Grantham and Elizabeth McGovern as his wife Cora.
Michelle Dockery’s Lady Mary and husband Henry (Matthew Goode) will also be the centerpiece; with her sister, Lady Edith, played by Laura Carmichael.
Interesting: the sequel is presumably the last hurray of Countess Violet Crawley, who will be visiting her friend (Maggie Smith in character)