Looks like a whole lot of new cast members are headed to Downton Abbey. On Thursday, Focus Features announced several new cast members for the upcoming Downton Abbey film, as principal photography is set to begin. In particular, one incoming actress will likely have Harry Potter fans very excited: Imelda Staunton, whom Potterheads know better as Dolores Umbridge.
The rest of the original seriess cast has already been confirmed to return—including, of course, Maggie Smith, who plays the cantankerous Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, and who, in a past life, also played Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. Smith and Stauntons characters, fans will recall, were bitter rivals throughout the Harry Potter series—but its unclear if there will be any such animosity between their characters at Downton Abbey. The role Staunton will be playing has yet to be revealed. Fun fact, though: Stauntons real-life husband happens to be actor Jim Carter, a.k.a. Mr. Carson.
Other newly announced cast members include Geraldine James (Anne with an E), Simon Jones (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Brideshead Revisited), David Haig (Killing Eve), Tuppence Middleton (The Imitation Game, Sense8), Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders, The Crown) and Stephen Campbell Moore (History Boys, Lark Rise to Candleford). Creator Julian Fellowes returned to write the films screenplay and executive produce.
As for what else we know? Given the original series wrapping up in 1925 and Fellowess stated desire to avoid returning to the 1930s, a period he already covered in his 2002 film Gosford Park, V.F.s Julie Miller predicts that the Downton Abbey film will most likely take place between 1926 and 1930. The films plot has, naturally, been kept under wraps, and the shows finale already gave pretty much everyone a happy ending—though there are still some possibilities left. For instance, as Miller notes, Cora and Roberts wedding happened in 1890, making 1930 their 40th anniversary year. What better reason for a reunion gathering of all our favorite characters?
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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