TV sensation 'Downton Abbey' coming to the big screen

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It was the soapy period drama about the upstairs-downstairs lives and loves at a British household in the early 20th century that enjoyed astonishing success on both sides of the Atlantic – and now it's back. A movie is to be made of “Downton Abbey”, the award-winning television period drama, and the original stars will reunite for the project.

"We're thrilled to announce that 'Downton Abbey' is coming to the big screen," the television series tweeted Friday. Film production begins this summer.

A still from "Downton Abbey". /VCG Photo

The six-season television series ran on Britain's ITV from 2010 to 2015, and in the United States on PBS' Masterpiece.

In the United States, it won three Golden Globes, 15 Primetime Emmy Awards and commanded a rave following, becoming the most nominated non-US television show in the history of the Emmys.

It followed the lives of the Crawley family, headed by the Earl of Grantham, and their servants as they navigate changing times from the Edwardian heyday of the British aristocracy, to World War I and the roaring 1920s.

A still featuring Maggie Smith of "Downton Abbey" /VCG Photo

The original principal cast, including Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Hugh Bonneville, are set to reprise their roles in the big-screen production, Hollywood entertainment news website Deadline reported.

Creator Julian Fellowes has written the screenplay and will co-produce, it added. Brian Percival, who directed the first and several other episodes, will reprise the role for the film. Highclere Castle in England is expected to return as the family seat.

May 12, 2016: Highclere Castle, in southern England, is expected to return as the family seat in the "Downton Abbey" movie. /VCG Photo

"Downton Abbey" became one of Britain's biggest ever drama exports with an international audience of around 120 million.

The television series ended in 1926 with daughter Edith Crawley marrying and outranking the rest of the family, sister Mary expecting a second child, and butler and lady's maid Bates and Anna welcoming their first.

Nov. 23, 2015: Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes (L) poses with actress Elizabeth McGovern and British television producer Gareth Neame after winning the International Emmy Founders Award backstage at the 43rd International Emmy Awards Gala in Manhattan, New York. /VCG Photo

New York-based company Focus Features has set production for the cinema release with British-based Carnival Films.

"It was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production," said Gareth Neame, Carnival's executive chairman.

Aug. 1, 2015: "Downton Abbey" cast members (L-R) Penelope Wilton, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael and Joanne Froggatt attend a photo call in Beverly Hills, California. /VCG Photo

"We're thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen," said Focus chairman Peter Kujawski.

Fans, as well as cast members, took to Twitter to express their delight at the news.

“Delighted to announce we’re getting the band back together!” actress Joanne Froggatt wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of her with fellow cast members Michelle Dockery and Maggie Smith.

(Cover: A still from "Downton Abbey" /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters