MikeK
Gold Member
That would have been a major loss to the cast and I can understand why they decided not to continue. Too bad. But Maggie is getting on in years and one does get too tired to be working day after day.Downton Abbey.
So sad it's gone. I don't know why they ended it. The characters were solidly formed so even if Julian Fellowes was tired I'm sure there are writers capable of keeping them alive for many years (if Fellowes were willing to relinquish the task).
Downton Abbey obviously followed in the footsteps of Upstairs/Downstairs, which was a 1970s series dealing with the relationship between the English upper class and their household servants and that series lasted a very long time.
1) They ended it because Maggie Smith would not renew her contract as the Dowager who was the series' anchor period character.
I will look forward to that. I'm sure such a movie would be as good if not better than Gosford Park.2) There is talk of a movie spinoff to be released in 2018. Not sure many of the details other than that the actor who plays Bates has reportedly revealed that he is already contracted for the movie. My guess would be that it would be a run up to WWII