Downton Abbey

[tammyy2j]

Downton Abbey will return to ITV1 on Sunday, September 16 at 9pm.

The series three premiere date was confirmed by the broadcaster today (September 5).

Created by Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, the first series of Downton Abbey premiered on ITV1 on September 26, 2010.

A second series screened a year later and a Christmas Special followed.

The ensemble cast features Hugh Bonneville as Earl of Grantham Robert Crawley, Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess and Brendan Coyle as valet Charles Carson.

Fellowes and the cast screened preview footage of the third year of the show earlier this year and said that financial woes and the Troubles in Ireland would dominate the series.

Shirley MacLaine has been cast as Lady Grantham's mother Martha Levinson for the upcoming episodes.

[alan45]

Downton Abbey

Episode: 2 of 8
Sunday, 23 September 2012, 9:00PM - 10:00PM

• The future of Downton hangs precariously in the balance. In the hope of financial rescue from her American grandmother Mary and Violet conspire to make sure Downton puts on a bigger show than ever before with a grand party for friends and neighbours. Mrs Hughes faces some worrying personal news, and O’Brien’s efforts to accelerate Alfred’s progress rankle with Thomas.

[Chloe O'brien]

Oh I can't wait until Sunday night. The dark nights are coming. Great weather for Downton.

[Caspiant]

I'm looking forward to seeing Shirley Maclaine on the new series.

[alan45]

Downton Abbey
Episode: 3 of 8
Sunday, 30 September 2012, 9:00PM - 10:05PM
Drama

Edith's big day finally arrives. Will her enthusiasm finally convince
the family that Strallan's age does not matter?

It's the end of the line for Downton's finances and Mary takes matters into her own hands, but the personal price could be high.

Mrs Hughes anxiously awaits her results and Anna makes a breakthrough to help Bates. Is O'Brien moving on?

[alan45]

Downton Abbey
Episode: 3 of 8
Sunday, 30 September 2012, 9:00PM - 10:05PM
Drama

Edith's big day finally arrives. Will her enthusiasm finally convince
the family that Strallan's age does not matter?

It's the end of the line for Downton's finances and Mary takes matters into her own hands, but the personal price could be high.

Mrs Hughes anxiously awaits her results and Anna makes a breakthrough to help Bates. Is O'Brien moving on?

[alan45]

Downton Abbey
Episode: 4 of 8
Sunday, 7 October 2012, 9:00PM - 10:00PM

Branson's political views land him in hot water, and Sybil's loyalty is
tested to the limit.

Ethel is torn between head and heart as she makes a difficult decision about her son's future.

Anna is dispirited at Bates's silence, what could be the cause?

Carson begins recruiting a footman, and good-looking candidate Jimmy sparks immediate interest below stairs.

[alan45]

Downton Abbey
Episode: 4 of 8
Sunday, 7 October 2012, 9:00PM - 10:00PM

Branson's political views land him in hot water, and Sybil's loyalty is
tested to the limit.

Ethel is torn between head and heart as she makes a difficult decision about her son's future.

Anna is dispirited at Bates's silence, what could be the cause?

Carson begins recruiting a footman, and good-looking candidate Jimmy sparks immediate interest below stairs.

[Dazzle]

Congratulations to Maggie Smith for winning an Emmy last night for her performance in Downton Abbey. (Damien Lewis also won for Homeland.)

[Perdita]

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has revealed that he is interested in creating a prequel to the series.

Fellowes explained at the Bafta Screenwriting Lecture that he would like to focus on the beginning of the relationship between Cora and Robert, according to The Daily Telegraph.

He added that he originally planned the spin-off as a novel, but that ITV would adapt it for television.

"I do actually have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship of Robert and Cora, when all those American heiresses were arriving in London - the Buccaneers, as they were called," Fellowes explained.

"They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money. I sort of feel there's something quite nice in there because he's a decent [man], and so he feels rather guilty about this."

Robert and Cora are played in the original Downton Abbey series by Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, although a pair of young actors would take on the roles for the prequel.

However, Fellowes revealed that he does not want to air the prequel until Downton Abbey has ended, saying: "I don't think you can continue a narrative in more than one area at once."

Downton Abbey airs on Sundays at 9pm on ITV1.