Directed by Michael Engler and written by Julian Fellowes, creator of the original series, Downton Abbey brings the world of the hit British show to the big screen. Released in France in September 2019, the film reunites the original cast for a new major event in the Crawley family's life. This adaptation, conceived as a direct continuation of the series, will be broadcast on France 3 on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 9:10 p.m., offering a masterful reinterpretation of the English aristocracy at the turn of the 1920s.
In this feature film, the residents of Downton learn of the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary. The news upsets the balance of the house, with preparations, domestic rivalries, political issues, and questions of etiquette all intertwining. The Crawleys must preserve their status while their staff faces a royal team that has come to take control of the service. This arrival becomes the catalyst for latent tensions and long-awaited reunions, while paving the way for new alliances and revelations.
The story also explores the intimacy of family members and servants, each faced with their own ambitions and dilemmas. National political issues are intertwined with romantic and social intrigues, in keeping with the series' highly controlled tone. Without revealing the resolutions of the narrative arcs, the film broadens the dramatic spectrum while maintaining the balance between emotion, elegance, and humor characteristic of Julian Fellowes' universe.
The film is a direct continuation of the series, adopting its narrative and aesthetic codes. Michael Engler, who has already directed several memorable episodes, preserves the visual refinement that has made the work so renowned. Filming began in September 2018 and brought together the series' original teams: Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge, and Nigel Marchant in production; Brian Percival, director of the pilot, as executive producer. The ambition lies in the ability to bring the twenty or so iconic characters to life in a feature film format, a challenge met thanks to a script designed to bring their story arcs together around a unifying event.
The film reinforces the link with the series by featuring Highclere Castle, a real character in the universe, filmed in an even more ceremonial dimension. The royal couple's visit involves the participation of the Royal Horse Artillery, bringing an authentic historical dimension to the formal sequences. This continuity anchors the work in a British cinematic heritage that ranges from Gosford Park to contemporary aristocratic drama.
The target audience will find the hushed atmosphere, subtle humor, and social dynamics that made the series so successful. The film is particularly aimed at lovers of historical narratives, viewers who enjoy ensemble dramas, and those who have long followed the intertwined destinies of the Crawley family and their staff. Michael Engler's careful approach, combined with Fellowes' writing, offers a work that is faithful to its roots while expanding the visual scope for cinema.
Downton Abbey
Film | 2019
Theatrical release: September 25, 2019
On television on France 3: December 8, 2025, at 9:10 p.m.
Drama, History | Running time: 2 hours 3 minutes
By Michael Engler | Starring Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith
Nationality: United Kingdom
Our opinion on Downton Abbey:
Downton Abbey is a film in the tradition of the British series: with its characteristic finesse, well-constructed underlying plots, and a real gift for period costumes. It is a film of rare beauty, both in terms of its photography and the framing of its shots, which are always meticulous and aesthetically pleasing.
We continue to applaud the cast, the same as in the series, whom we are delighted to see reunited on screen one last time. Special mention goes to Maggie Smith, as brilliant and radiant as ever in the role of the Dowager Countess, with her sharp, deadpan humor. A welcome touch of humor, sprinkling light on the more dramatic moments. A truly refreshing film, so British, subtle and measured, for a conclusion worthy of one of the best British productions to date.
The film stands out as a coherent and elegant extension of the television universe, paying homage to the series while taking advantage of the cinematic setting to reinforce its historical scope and spectacular dimension. The royal visit acts as a revealing mirror of hierarchies, loyalties, and internal tensions, giving rise to a work that is both ceremonial and intimate.
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