Breaking News
IT’S OFFICIAL: Downton Abbey The Movie To Go Into Production This Summer
The highly-anticipated and rumored revival of Downton Abbey to the big screen is on! Production is slated to begin later this summer.
From what we understand, all of the original cast is set to reprise their signature roles in the motion picture, written by series creator Julian Fellowes.
Fellowes will also serve as the executive producer along with other ‘Downton’ notables behind the scenes: Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge, and Nigel Marchant. Brian Percival is set to direct. Percival also directed the pilot episode of the critically-acclaimed and beloved period soap opera series.
In a statement, Gareth Neame expressed: “When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production. Julian’s script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival’s hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen.”
Focus Features chairman, Peter Kujawski, shared: “Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter. We’re thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen.”
Downton Abbey ran for six seasons on PBS and received 15 Primetime Emmy awards and 69 nominations.
Actress Joanne Froggatt, who plays maid Anna Bates, took to Twitter with much enthusiasm at the news: “Delighted to announce we’re getting the band back together! #DowntonMovie #DowntonAbbey”
So, thrilled to hear the Downton Abbey movie is happening? Comment below.
Hope they keep it classy like the series…every time they move something to the big screen they add more violence, foul words and nudity…and if Miss America drops the swimsuit for the Me2 movement lets stop exploiting women in movies(even if they agree to do the scenes) and drop the nudity…maybe that makes me an old prude well i dont care…a lot of stuff in pictures is not needed-tell a good story is what is needed!!!
Jimh, thanks for your insight and common sense, two things sorely lacking today. The adage ‘less is more’ certainly applies to most movies, especially DOWNTON. They didn’t need profanity or explicit sex before and they won’t need it for the big screen. I’m not a prude and I agree with you. In fact, the more “older” movies I see, the more I see how much we’ve lost in the simple act of storytelling. The movies of the 1970s, my favorite era, pushed some boundaries but not at the expense of the movie. I guess we have to place some blame on the supporters of this recent drivel we’re being offered but, honestly, how many comic book movies or TV remakes can they regurgitate? I trust the filmmakers will honor the DOWNTON legacy, maybe even resurrect Sybil. One can always dream!
Well said…
The me too move me too moment is a joke get off watching the media it is not news anymore it’s just garbage to stir you up ! Live your life and ignore these ignorant people
I very much doubt there will be a reason for concern on that matter, Jimh! Julian Fellowes wrote the script for this film, just like all the series episodes, and he has a true love and respect for his characters….he won’t exploit them simply for the sake of the big screen! I have every expectation that they will be just as classy and unforgettable as we remember them, only a bit older and wiser(?) Best of all, Dame Maggie Smith is returning, so it will definitely be a quality project…
Shay…So our favorite dowager is back! Yea! I’m going to be optimistic the movie will not disappoint.
I’m sure it won’t, Rose! I have great faith in Julian Fellowes’ ability to recreate the magic of the original Downton….Instead of hastily cashing in with a second-rate version of the iconic series in order to placate an audience clearly hungry for more, he lovingly took the time and care necessary to assemble all of the wonderful elements found in the previous seasons of the show. Additionally, you have to know that there is no way our beloved Dame Maggie would be attached to this film unless the quality remained….The Countess Dowager simply wouldn’t have it! I’ve been watching the reruns on PBS this summer, and no matter how many times I view an episode, it still resonates for me….how special and rare is that in this day and age???
I dont go to movies anymore but i will for this one…
I watched one episode and I found it to be a snory instead of a story. Very boring show!
Hi Michael,,I see Brit media as either slapsticky or snooty, so yah boring.
But! I like Sherlock Holmes !
I go The Handsmadian’s Tail a 100 times more than Downton Abbey .
The Handmaid’s Tale is dark and depressing, but it’s still fascinating to watch and brilliantly acted with the exception of that actress who played Eden.
Michael…Agree with you about dark and depressing, which has bothered me on some of our soaps storylines…even though they don’t come close th Handmaids. But I am riveted to it, and from what I have seen from tonight’s promo…wow.
su000… On the good side, still, three quality programs worth watching. At least for me who doesn’t have/or won’t spend money to subscribe to Netflix, Hula, etc. And hopefully the few others starting in the fall won’t disappoint.
Delighted
The Brits talk like they have marbles in their mouth lol
I need to use CC to know what they’re saying..
I can’t go there ..
The tower of Babel in the Old Testament stopped men from speaking one language,one dialect,and sent them off across the globe speaking in differences. The marbles made the world what it is now. SMH.
I am sure they think the same about us
SO THRILLED to know that this is coming out!!! I LOVED Downton Abbey and watched it faithfully. Just knowing that they were working on getting things together for a movie kept me happy. Now that it’s a reality, I am in seventh heaven!
This makes me sad because my sis who loved this Erie’s she had Alzheimer’s and she will now never be able to see this movie. I had never seen the series until I would go over and wstch it over and over with her . I hope it turns our grestvshe would have lived it but now really can’t watch anything. Horrible disease that is why I get upset at Gh and y&r they had a chance to be a teachable moment they both blew it
k/Kay…sorry about your sister and the ripple affect it must have on your fairly. I don’t want to dredge up any bad memories, but what would have made both soaps more of a teachable moment. I’m asking as one who may see this horrible disease creeping into a family I know. Thanks.
I am thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!! I have missed all the wonderful Downton Abbey characters so very much. Can’t wait to see the movie.
Not interested in any more stories about rich people and their happy indentured servants.
Indentured??? As an avid Downton fan, I have never seen any servants portrayed who fit that description! The term was mainly used in the “New World” for those poor Europeans who lacked ships’ passage funds, so their prospective employers in the colonies (later United States of America…) paid their way in return for a certain time of guaranteed work in service to them from each individual who agreed to such an arrangement! Nobody was indebted to Lord Grantham on such a contractual basis. In fact, there were a number of servants who left his employ during the series…Gwen, O’Brien, Alfred, just to name a few, who went on to other endeavors. And the many who stayed or returned after an enforced absence didn’t want to leave despite other opportunities presenting themselves…including Carson, Mrs. Hughes, Anna, Bates, and even Thomas in the end!!! Hence whilst you may not appreciate the show for what it is, at least give Mr. Fellowes credit for accurately depicting history during the Victorian/Edwardian eras and beyond….he painstakingly does his research and uses an expert on all aspects of life during these periods in order to provide the most realistic presentations of these times, and that is but one reason that Downton Abbey is so beloved by the masses.
Shay
Just saw this post and thanks for the wonderful explanation to the word indentured and it’s real meaning. Miss you.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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