Ragesh Dipu
The first full trailer for ‘Downton Abbey,’ the long-awaited movie spin-off of the popular TV series, has been released by Focus Features. The intriguing trailer reveals the Crowley family bracing themselves up for a royal visit. According to Variety, the trailer was also released on the movie’s official Twitter handle after unveiling on NBC morning show ‘Today.’ The first look hints that the movie picks up the storyline a couple of years after the end of the TV series.
Set in 1927, the plot centers on the royal visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Downton Abbey. The movie features nearly all the fan-favorite cast members from the periodic drama series including Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Laura Carmichael, Penelope Wilton, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, and Jim Carter. New cast members in the movie are Imelda Staunton and Tuppence Middleton.
The trailer starts with with a chaotic setting of kitchen bells, winding clocks and tables moving as the Crawley family and their servants preparing for the royal visit. Then, Hugh Bonneville’s Lord Grantham exclaims, “No maid, no nanny and no valet even!” Lady Edith (played by Laura Carmichael) arrives with husband Bertie (played by Harry Hadden-Paton), announcing “It’s 1927, we’re modern folk!”
The impending royal visit even prompts Lady Mary (played by Michelle Dockery) to bring back the retired head butler and reliable friend, Carson (played by Jim Carter) for more assistance.
The trailer also offers some spicy moments when Violet (played by Smith) asks Isobel (played by Penelope Wilton), “Will you have enough clichés to get you through the visit?” Isobel counters, “If not, I’ll come to you.”
‘Downton Abbey’ movie reunites show creator Julian Fellowes with producers Carnival Films. Fellowes also serves as the writer and one of the producers of the movie. Michael Engler, who helmed four episodes of the series, directs the big screen version. Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge serve as producers.
The long-gestating movie spin-off was first hit headlines in July 2018. In September 2018, the main cast of the series confirmed about their return for the movie. The first teaser without dialogues was unveiled in December.
The hit series was first aired on ITV for six successful seasons in the United Kingdom. PBS aired the series in the United States where it repeated the success streak. Creator Julian Fellowes has finished the script for the movie while he was working on the episodes of the series. An intriguing first look teaser of the movie was unveiled at CinemaCon in April. The official poster for the film debuted on the ‘Downton Abbey’ Twitter account with a curious tagline, “We’ve been expecting you.”
Check out the full-length trailer for ‘Downton Abbey’ below.
The movie hits theaters in the U.K. on September 13, 2019, through Universal Pictures International, while Focus Features releasing it in the U.S. on September 20, 2019.
Cover Image Courtesy: Universal Pictures
