Shooting wrapped today on the much loved series Downton Abbey , much to the disappoint of fans around the world. Cast members from upstairs and downstairs posted photos on social media, thanking fans and saying goodbye to their characters.
But will Season 6 be the last we see of Lord Grantham and the Crawley family and their staff? Creator Julian Fellowes (now Lord Fellowes) and executive producer Gareth Neame have purposefully left the door open for that possibility, according to The Guardian . With buzz about a movie in the future, or perhaps another series with the next generation of Crawleys, Neame is not willing to tip his hand one way or the other.
‘Downton Abbey’ cast and crew document the #LastDaysofDownton with some choice selfies: Downton Abbey is offic… http://t.co/CU0SBONvIc
— Geek me _ (@Geekme_) August 11, 2015
Fellowes says that he would not be shocked if Downton Abbey has “ some afterlife ,” after the show ends later this year.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if it had some afterlife because it’s been such a strong force. But it’s definitely finished on television,” he told the Belfast Telegraph . “That’s it.”
The cast has all expressed that they think it’s better to go out on top than wait until people lose interest.
“I think it’s right to stop when people are sorry and not when people are relieved,” Fellowes said.
Neame agrees, saying that they are intentionally ending the show in 1925, saying that they didn’t feel they could put Lord Grantham throw the Wall Street crash, as he has finally gotten back on his feet after much financial turmoil. “Were we to make a movie,” Neame hints, “there is much narrative ahead to be mined.”
In an interview with Deadline , Neame, who is also chief of Carnival Films, said when pressed that for now, there’s rumor and speculation. “I’m not denying anything ; I think a Downton movie could be a wonderful thing. But we don’t have a script or plan yet,” he said. And fans of the Masterpiece series will cling to the word “yet.”
. @Allenleech and Fifi Hart arrive at the #BAFTADownton Tribute event! @DowntonAbbey pic.twitter.com/niqrPeRuHz
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) August 11, 2015
So as the cast says goodbye to beautiful Highclere Castle, are they thinking that it might not be forever? At the very least, the cast has not seen the last of each other, as they will get a chance to take a victory lap at the various awards shows that begin in September. Downton Abbey has been the most highly awarded shows that has ever been televised on PBS.
Would you want to see a Downton Abbey movie?
[Photo courtesy of Chris Jackson/Getty Images]