Actor Hugh Bonneville has shared an update on the future of Downton Abbey ahead of a third film being released.
The original TV show ran from 2010 to 2015 on ITV and the franchise later transitioned to the big screen, with its first film continuation released in 2019 under the same name. It was followed by a sequel, subtitled A New Era, in 2022 and a third film is now scheduled to be released next year.
Hugh, 60 - who plays Robert Crawley in the franchise - spoke about the upcoming sequel whilst a guest on Heart Breakfast this week. Whilst being interviewed by radio hosts Jason King and Kelly Brook on the Heart Radio show, he teased that the third film will mark the "end of the story".
Asked about the project, he shared in the interview: "The third film we finished this summer, yeah, so that will come out next September." He continued by then telling the hosts: "I think [it] is very much the end of the story."
Jason questioned: "That is the end of the story?" Downton Abbey cast member Hugh replied to the host: "Yes, yes, absolutely. But it's been a wonderful journey, and so I think the third one will be a great sign off for fans of the show."
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Heart)It isn't the first time that Hugh - who, as well as being in the films, appeared in all six series of Downton Abbey - has teased that the next film is a conclusion. He hinted at the prospect on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with the National Lottery in an interview that was also broadcast this week.
Speaking on Virgin Radio UK, Hugh said: "We finished a third - and I think probably final - Downton Abbey film this summer, which will come out next September." He added during the interview with Chris Evans: "That is a wonderful sort of closing off of all the stories, so it's a proper film for the fans."
He also discussed the late Dame Maggie Smith - who played his on-screen mother Violet Crawley - on the show. The character died in the second film, released in 2022, and earlier this year Maggie herself passed away, aged 89.
Discussing the next film, Hugh said: "It's very much set in the house and saying goodbye to all these characters and we obviously say goodbye to Dame Maggie, which was very poignant on screen and now in real life. She'll be sorely missed. But the final film will obviously be a great lasting tribute to her."
Listen to Heart Breakfast weekdays from 06:30 - 10:00 across the UK and on Global Player. The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery is on Virgin Radio UK and you can listen to interviews on the Virgin Radio app.
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