Downtown Abbey cast to reunite for ‘farewell' documentary after final film but major change is set to leave fans fuming

The Sun

17-07-2025

AFTER six sensational seasons and two films, a third and final movie will sees us wave goodbye to the drama at Downton Abbey for ever.
To mark the sad occasion the cast will reunite for a glossy documentary, called Farewell Downton Abbey.
5
Sadly for the millions who watched the show on ITV the swan song is set to go to one of the streaming giants.
A TV insider said: 'This will be bittersweet news for all the people who would be thrilled at the prospect of seeing all the stars of Downton Abbey coming together one last time.
'Because it means there's likely to be a bidding war between the streamers to get this, probably Netflix, who currently show all the TV episodes, and Prime Video, who have the first two movies.
'With the release of the third film it's 'Goodbye Downton Abbey'. But not everyone is going to be able to take part in that, as only those who have the right subscription will be able to see it.'
I exclusively revealed last year that creator Julian Fellowes and his team were preparing to make Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
It will star, for the last time, the likes of Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern as the Earl and Countess of Grantham as well as Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley and Jim Carter as Mr Carson.
They became huge stars on the back of the series which ran for six series from 2010 to 2015.
The new movie will be released in September and the documentary, made by British production company Monkey Kingdom, which has just finished filming will drop around the same time.
It will include behind-the-scenes footage from the set of the film, as well as interviews with the cast and members of the public who'll explain why its such a grand British Institution.
Then they'll just need a subscription to an American streamer to watch it.
From Stacey Solomon to Claudia Winkleman, the real BBC rich list as earnings of stars the Beeb DON'T report are revealed
Layton's back in fashion
5
HE has seemed a tad elusive since reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.
Now actor Layton Williams is returning to our screens, this time in the second series of the Netflix hit Geek Girl.
It tells the story of awkward adolescent Harriet Manners, played by Emily Carey, who is suddenly plunged into the bizarre world of modelling.
The first series of the comedy drama, which is an adaptation of the children's novels by Holly Smale, debuted last year, while the second is due to air in 2026.
Filming has started in London with Layton joining the cast playing a extravagant fashionista called Onassis.
That must be a real stretch for him.
Scot sitcom to return
AWARD-winning Scottish sitcom Two Doors Down will return with a Christmas special, two years since the last series aired.
The residents of Latimer Crescent will congregate at Beth (Arabella Weir) and Eric's (Alex Norton) house to celebrate.
Others returning include ELAINE C SMITH.
'Unique' show's season two
5
UNIQUE interview show The Assembly is getting a second run.
The ITV programme sees autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled people grill celebrities – with the debut series featuring the likes of David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Gary Lineker and Jade Thirlwall.
As revealed in TV Biz, there will be another six stars stepping up to the plate in the next outing, though they've yet to be unveiled.
And there will be an extra helping in the next season with an episode called The Assembly: Unseen.
Entertainment boss Katie Rawcliffe said they were bringing the show back as it was: 'Warm, funny, revealing and just that little bit mischievous.'
Meanwhile, Stu Richards, director of the show, said: 'I cannot believe we're still getting away with this.
'It is just a ludicrous privilege.'
Hacker's pup for laughs
5
BLUE Peter has recruited a puppet called Hacker T Dog as its newest presenter.
The canine joins Abby Cook, Joel Mawhinney, Shini Muthukrishhnan on the BBC show alongside Henry, a real dog.
Hacker has been a CBBC favourite for 16 years, but will be part of the crew from September.
The pooch, ahem, said: 'It's dead exciting! Thank you for letting me aboard the mighty ship Blue Peter. I am privileged , nay proud, to be involved in this fine institution and top-notch show.'
Puppeteer Phil Fletcher is the man behind Hacker.
The BBC's Sarah Muller added: 'Viewers can expect plenty of mischief from the one-and-only Hacker T Dog.'
Gill: Sex role was healing
5
SEX Education star Gillian Anderson has revealed how playing a therapist in the Netflix drama made her realise she hadn't always dealt with trauma in her own life.
Speaking on Davina McCall's Begin Again podcast she said: 'We have a tendency to brush things under the carpet when traumatic things happen to us.
'I mean I know that I certainly have, I just kind of get on with my life. It's not until somebody with some objectivity says, 'Whoa wait a minute, what's going on here and you need to take care of yourself or you need to address this or you need to report this.''
She added: 'During MeToo, the degree to which women were encouraged to share how many times or how often they had been harassed or attacked or raped indeed.
'It's important we make a fuss. It's not nothing.'