Its crisp storylines and sharply drawn characters proved so compelling that it spawned six seasons on TV and two movie spin-offs.
Now The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the hugely popular Downton Abbey, with the wealthy Crawley family at its heart, is about to make its TV comeback.
The production company behind the Golden Globe-winning show – which chronicled the many social changes and world events between 1912 and 1928 – is now casting and hopes it can lure back all the big names, including Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern .
And while it’s still in its early stages, sources say it’s hoped it’ll be ready for screening late next year – though the main stars’ filming commitments may push that back.
It is understood that the show, created and produced by Julian Fellowes, will be screened on ITV, its home base since its launch in September 2010.
The Mail on Sunday may reveal that Downton Abbey is making its TV comeback
An insider said: “There is a plan in development and there is a lot of excitement about it.
“Castings are taking place and it would be great if all the big stars could return. People loved Downton. It became a British institution and it was much missed since it left our screens.
“There is tremendous excitement surrounding this project. It was a Sunday night favourite, receiving huge ratings. Since the end there has been very little to compete with.’
The final episode of the show – which acted as a launch pad for the careers of Mrs Dockery, Lily James, who played Lady Rose; and Jessica Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil Crawley, aired on Christmas Day in 2015, peaking at 7.4 million viewers.
Fans saw Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Bertie (Harry Haden-Patton) finally get married, on New Year’s Eve 1925.
Meanwhile, Mrs. James made a welcome one-off return, along with Matt Barber as Atticus, for the finale.
Other notable moments included maid Anna Smith (Joanne Frogatt) going into labor at the wedding reception, with her and servant Bates (Brendan Coyle) becoming proud parents of a healthy son.
Fans were so excited that the series – the most nominated British show in Emmy history – was followed by two films in 2019 and 2022.
In the second film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, the Crawley family embarked on a grand journey to the South of France to discover the “mysterious past” behind the newly inherited villa of the indomitable Violet Crawley (pictured right), played by Dame Maggie, to discover. Blacksmith
Downton has also had huge success in the US, where each episode was watched by an average of 26 million people. Pictured: Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, Elizabeth Mcgovern as Lady Cora and Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith
The first, set in 1927, depicts a royal visit to the Crawley family’s country home in Yorkshire. As royal staffers descend on Downton, an assassin has also arrived and attempts to kill the monarch.
In the second film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, the Crawley family embarked on a grand journey to the South of France to discover the “mysterious past” behind the newly inherited villa of the indomitable Violet Crawley (played by Dame Maggie Smith).
Dominic West also joined the cast as Guy Dexter.
Yesterday, Downton’s executive producer Gareth Neame, who also serves as executive chairman of Carnival Films, which makes the show, declined to comment when asked if he plans to bring the show back.
ITV also declined to comment.
However, news of the return will be a boost for ITV, who launched their streaming platform, ITVX, last year aiming to rival giants like Netflix and Amazon.
Bosses will have seen the success of programs like Bridgerton and its popular spin-off, Queen Charlotte, and adding them to the Downton Abbey juggernaut would be a way to further boost their audience.
ITV has all six series of the show on the platform and sources at the network say they have been ‘very well watched’, meaning there’s a hunger for more.
Downton has also had huge success in the US, where each episode was watched by an average of 26 million people.