Downton creator gets NBC drama

US broadcaster NBC has ordered a drama set in 1880s America from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellows.

Julian Fellowes

The Gilded Age, which has been in development for almost five years, is being written and exec produced by Fellowes along with Downton Abbey exec producer Gareth Neame.

The 10-episode run has been slated to air in 2019 and is being produced by Universal Television. It will be set in New York City and will follow a railroad tycoon’s efforts to break into the establishment.

Fellowes described being given the opportunity to write the show as “the fulfilment of a personal dream.”

“I have been fascinated by this period of American history for many years and now NBC has given me the chance to bring it to a modern audience.”

Neame’s UK-based prodco Carnival Films was acquired by NBCUniversal in 2008 and produced six seasons of Downton Abbey for ITV in the UK.

The show went on to become a global hit and was a huge success for US broadcaster PBS. It has also achieved more Emmy nominations than any other non-US series.