By Abb Jones
The Reelness

Can lightning be caught in the bottle again? Focus Features has announced that a second Downton Abbey film sequel to the wildly popular period TV series will hit theaters just in time for the Christmas holiday season, on December 22nd.

“After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be reunited with the much beloved characters of Downton Abbey.” -Producer Gareth Neame

Production began last week, with the original cast again returning, joined this time by Hugh Dancy (Hannibal), Laura Haddock (Guardians of the Galaxy), Nathalie Baye (Catch Me If You Can) and Dominic West (The Wire, Collette), who will also appear as Prince Charles in The Crown next year.

Downton Abbey series creator Julian Fellowes, who wrote the 2019 film sequel, Downton Abbey, also is writing this sequel. The plot of the prior film, which made The Reelness 10 Best Movies of 2019, centered around a 1927 visit by the British King and Queen to the estate.