Directed by Simon Curtis and written by Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey II: A New Era continues the saga of the Crawley family and their servants on the big screen, in a sweeping drama and historical chronicle. Released in France on April 27, 2022, this second feature film, starring Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, and Laura Carmichael, will be broadcast on France 3 on Monday, December 15, 2025, following on from the success of the series and the first film.
The plot is set in 1928. While the Downton family and staff attend the wedding of Tom Branson and Lucy Smith, Lady Violet reveals that she has inherited a mysterious villa in the south of France, bequeathed to her by the Marquis de Montmirail. This decision, and her wish to pass on the property to her granddaughter, is met with incomprehension and questions from the clan. A trip to the French Riviera is then organized to unravel the mystery of the connection between the Dowager Countess and the late Marquis.
At the same time, a film director, Mr. Barber, wants to shoot his new silent film at Downton Abbey. While Lord Grantham initially considers the proposal incongruous, Lady Mary sees it as an opportunity to finance essential work to maintain the estate. The house is thus invaded by a Hollywood film crew, causing excitement among the servants, who are torn between fascination with the stars and concern about the disruption to their daily lives. Between the chaos of the set and the discovery of the French villa, the Crawleys experience a symbolic transition, reflecting an era in which silent films are giving way to talkies.
Following the success of the series, which aired between 2011 and 2016 and won numerous Emmy Awards and Golden Globes, and the first film released in 2019, Downton Abbey II: A New Era marks a new stage in the franchise. The project, produced by Carnival Films and distributed by Focus Features, was initially scheduled to accompany the 2021 holiday season, before its release was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Producers Gareth Neame and Peter Kujawski spoke of their desire to offer viewers a unifying event after a period marked by family separation.
This second installment is directed by Simon Curtis, who is familiar with the world of period dramas, while Julian Fellowes returns to his role as screenwriter. The film continues to explore the behind-the-scenes world of a large aristocratic mansion, while opening up the horizon to the French Riviera, with filming in France in locations such as the Villa Rocabella in Le Pradet. The production plays on the contrast between the traditional setting of Downton and the Mediterranean light, while setting the story in a pivotal period for cinema, between silent and talking films.
The film is aimed at fans of historical dramas, ensemble stories, and great family sagas. The themes of transmission, the evolution of social classes, and modernity run through the film, in a production that emphasizes both the intimacy of the characters and the romantic dimension of the setting. The feature film thus continues in the vein of the series, between a chronicle of the upheavals of the interwar period and period entertainment, offering France 3 viewers a new immersion into the daily life of the Crawleys.
Our opinion on Downton Abbey II: A New Era
Downton Abbey 2 is a refreshing feature film that follows on from the first installment, but adds to this welcome freshness a significant touch of emotion, making the story of this opus even more poignant and beautiful. This emotion is perfectly conveyed by the duo Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, who are deeply moving.
The script is also more dynamic, thanks to two intertwining plots, leading part of the family and household staff to host a film shoot, and the other part to the south of France, to discover a villa left to Lady Violet by the Count of Montmirail, causing astonishment on the British side and indignation on the French side. We appreciate the interesting mise en abyme, the film within the film, concerning the filming at Downton.
In terms of casting, the old guard are as good as ever, and the newcomers bring a breath of fresh air, while integrating rather well into the group in their interactions with each other. Special mention goes to Maggie Smith, who concludes Violet's story with great humor and panache, worthy of a lady of the British upper aristocracy. The only slight downside is the character played by Nathalie Baye, who seems to be held back by the writers. But this does not detract from the film in any way and does not prevent Downton Abbey: A New Era from shining in theaters.
A must-see for all fans of the series!
Downton Abbey II: A New Era
Film | 2022
Theatrical release: April 27, 2022
TV broadcast: France 3 – December 15, 2025
Drama, History | Running time: 2h06
By Simon Curtis | Starring Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith
Original title: Downton Abbey: A New Era
Nationality: United Kingdom
Extending the world of Downton Abbey to the big screen, this second installment offers a new take on the themes of inheritance, class, and modernity that run through the saga. Between the filming of a silent movie, a trip to the French Riviera, and the evolution of the house's iconic figures, Downton Abbey II: A New Era continues the series while taking on a broader dimension, carried by Simon Curtis's direction and Julian Fellowes's writing.
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