First look at ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’

Focus Features has released an official first look at Downton Abbey: A New Era, the highly anticipated follow-up to the period drama series’ 2019 motion picture debut, which is set to premiere in theaters on March 18, 2022.

Returning for Downton Abbey’s second movie are original cast members Hugh Bonneville (Robert), Laura Carmichael (Edith), Jim Carter (Carson), Brendan Coyle (Bates), Michelle Dockery (Mary), Kevin Doyle (Molesley), Joanne Froggatt (Anna), Matthew Goode (Henry), Harry Hadden-Paton (Bertie), Robert James-Collier (Thomas), Allen Leech (Branson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hudges), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora), Sophie McShera (Daisy), Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore), Maggie Smith (The Dowager Countess), Imelda Staunton (Lady Bagshaw) and Penelope Wilton (Isobel).

New cast members include Nathalie Baye (Catch Me if You Can), Hugh Dancy (Hannibal), Laura Haddock (Transformers: The Last Knight) and Dominic West (The Affair).

Series creator Julian Fellowes once again wrote the script for the sequel, while Simon Curtis directs. 

A new era begins, and there’s no place we’d rather be. #DowntonAbbey: A New Era is in theaters March 18. pic.twitter.com/MI9NRQu5t1

— Focus Features (@FocusFeatures) November 10, 2021

The set of stunning stills from the sequel film show characters getting ready to play lawn tennis.

There's a photo of Hugh Bonneville's Lord Grantham with his daughter and heir Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, possibly discussing her taking on more responsibility for the Downton estate.

The set of photos also show long-time  family servants Mrs. Patmore and Daisy portrayed by Lesley Nicol and Sophia McShera, cooking in the kitchen.

The full teaser for the film will be shown exclusively in theaters on Belfast this weekend, but a very brief snippet has also been released online. Downton Abbey: A New Era's trailer teaser is only 15 seconds long but it promises wedding bells at last for Tom Branson, a trip to the sea, and more as the storyline enters the 1930s.

We also get a glimpse of the Crawley grandkids Sybbie, George, Marigold and Caroline, looking a few years older, while posing for a family photo in the teaser.

All six seasons of Downton Abbey, which originally ran from 2010 to 2015 as well as Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture (2019) are currently streaming on Netfilx. Downton Abbey: A New Era will premiere globally in theaters on March 18, 2022.