Downton Abbey timeline: Every hint, leak and spoiler ahead of Downton Abbey release

The Crawley family have some royal visitors arriving in the upcoming Downton Abbey movie. The film has already set fans’ hearts racing as they anticipate the twists and turns which await them. But the journey to getting Downton Abbey to the big screen has been just as much of an adventure. Express.co.uk takes a look at the timeline of how long it took to get to the release date.

January 2012 – The talks begin

The first speculation about the show becoming a film came as early as 2012, after the show won big at the 2012 Golden Globes.

A source told The Sun: “Julian was chatting with various film directors and movie executives about the show and the possibility it would make a fantastic feature film.”

“Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep were also seen chatting and congratulating him and they were all chatting about how much of a success the film version would be.

“Julian was explaining he would have to give the idea a lot of thought and that lots of people have already asked him about film rights.”

December 2014 – The talks really begin

Raquel Cassidy, who plays Phyllis Baxter in the show, told The Mirror the film was a “definite possibility.”

She said: “There have been talks and there is definitely a possibility of a Downton film – there is real hope.

“It’s been mentioned more than once and there’s a lot of commercial and artistic interest.”

March 2015 – The TV series comes to an end

Directors announced the beloved TV series would be ending.

Producer Gareth Neame even told the Mail on Sunday he had even been considering possible storylines for the film, despite its being unconfirmed at the time.

He said: “I think I have got a few ideas – I think it’s very possible and it would be fun for us to do.

“I certainly have no objections because the film would be another adventure.

“My own feeling would be that a film now would need to include the characters from the series as they were in the series.”

March 2016 – The timeline is in place

Mr Bates himself, played by Brendan Coyle, was “confirmed” to be joining the cast by a source who spoke to The Mirror.

The source also said the script did not include the Violet Crawley, played by Maggie Smith, at her own request.

They said: “There is a timeline in place – even though everyone is staying quiet about it for now.

“The film should be ready in time for Christmas 2018 and the script outlines are broadly in place.

“All the stars of the show have verbally committed to the film, which will be shot in the UK.”

October 2016 – A script is in the works

According to Joanne Froggatt, who plays Anna Bates, a script was “written” by October 2016, as she told This Morning.

She said: “We’ve all heard this rumour that the script has been written.

“There’s a hard copy somewhere but none of us have seen it or know what’s in it, so we’ll all keep our fingers crossed that it all comes together.

“We’re all willing it to happen and I’d absolutely jump at the chance to star in it if I’m asked – I’ll squeeze it in.”