Seventh run of Downton in doubt

The future of ITV’s flagship period drama Downton Abbey could be in doubt after its creator, Julian Fellowes, failed to commit to a seventh season.

The UK broadcaster greenlit a sixth run of the Golden Globe-winning drama in November last year, but there is media speculation that Fellowes is looking to work on new projects in the US, including forthcoming NBC drama The Gilded Age.

Downton, produced by NBCUniversal-owned UK prodco Carnival Films, debuted on ITV in 2010 and has since been sold into more than 250 territories worldwide.

There had been some doubt about the period drama returning after season five, with Fellowes again openly admitting he didn’t know if there would be a sixth run.

Some of the show’s younger actors are also believed to be in talks to work on other projects stateside, which could also put the show in jeopardy.

However, Gareth Neame, MD of Carnival Films, has consistently said there are currently “no plans” to end the show and emphasised that ITV commissions each of its series on a year-by-year basis.