We’ve been waiting for yonks for an update on the ‘Downton Abbey’ movie, with talk of a film based on the hit TV series beginning back in 2012.

In 2016, reports had it that Maggie Smith was attached to star while last year, several cast members said they were still hanging tight for news.

Now a tweet from Focus Features has confirmed that production on the movie is starting this summer which means we are indeed getting a big screen version of the costume drama – hooray!

 

The film will be a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing. Julian Fellowes, who created the period drama, has written the screenplay and will produce the feature. Brian Percival who directed the original series’ pilot, is directing the film. Plot specifics are being kept under wraps.

The cast of the series included Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Maggie Smith among others. According to Variety, the original principal cast are on board.

‘Downton Abbey’ first aired in 2010 and lasted for six seasons up to 2015. It was critically acclaimed and won numerous accolades in its time, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.

The series helped launch the career of several of its stars, including Lily James, who next stars in ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.’