Countdown begins to the Downton Abbey film as release date is announced

Downton Abbey fans it's time to mark your calendars, because the release date for the forthcoming feature film adaption of the period drama has been announced. 

The as-yet-untitled film will premiere in Europe on September 13, 2019 and in the rest of the world on September 20, 2019 – which means that there is only a year to go until the Crawley family and their loveable servants return. 

Filming for the big-screen adaption commenced earlier this month following the announcement of the film's production in July. 

The star-studded production will include most members of the original series' cast – Maggie Smith, Laura Carmichael and Hugh Bonneville are among those set to reprise their roles. 

Michelle Dockery, who starred as Lady Mary Crawley in the series and earned three consecutive Emmy nominations for her work, shared a picture on Instagram earlier this month which showed the first glimpse of the film's set. 

Filming is taking place at Highclere Castle in Berkshire, the Jacobethan country house which served as the titular Downton Abbey for all six series of the ITV drama. 

Julian Fellowes, the creator of the original series, will produce the film alongside Gareth Naeme and Liz Trubridge, while Brian Percival who directed the pilot episode will direct. 

Earlier this week, Fellowes told BBC News that the reunion of the cast was "almost surreal". And when discussing expectations for the film, Fellowes stayed frank: "You just have to keep charging on and have a go and do your best...

"I don't think one should expect everything to be a triumph. I've done my best, I know the cast are doing their best and I think it will be fun. But I won't count any chickens, thank you, until it is out, until we know how it is doing," he said. 

The plot of the adaption remains unknown, but will likely pick up at some point after the late 1920s, when the series finale ended. During it's five year run, the series won 15 Emmys and three Golden Globes.