'Downtown Abbey' Season 5 Could be Series' Last Later This Year
Fans of "Downtown Abbey" may be disappointed to learn the ITV period drama series may be ending after its sixth season this year.
News has emerged the cast of "Downtown Abbey" sent their respective agents off to scout for work as the period drama series on ITV is geared to close down after its sixth and final season this year.
The show's writer, Julian Fellowes has reportedly bailed on the popular show, leading insiders to claim that "it's an open secret that Downton is ending this year," The U.K. Mirror reported.
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"Some of the actors are keen to let it be known they will be available for work after the summer. Some are interested in the US, where Downton is as popular as it is in the U.K.," the source said.
Stars of the show, Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley, and Jessica Brown Findlay, who plays Lady Sybil Branson, have already packed their bags to pursue offers in Hollywood.
The sixth and final season is set to start filming from spring to summer this year for the September premiere of Season 6. There have been no comments from ITV's end, but its head honchos are currently seeking another drama show, preferably something ambitious, long-running and with mass audience appeal, to replace the soon-to-be-axed show for its Sunday night programming, a timeslot that generates the channel's highest ratings.
With the dismay viewers have over the impending end of their beloved show, there have been rumors emerging that "Downtown Abbey" final run will be an immense spectacle.
With the Christmas special last month revealing housekeeper Mrs. Hughes is engaged to marry Carson the Butler, fans of the series are anticipating Lady Mary finally settling down with a new husband, Lady Edith finding some measure of happiness after her lover's strange death, Isobel Crawley finally getting to marry her Lord Merton, and Mr. Bates and Anna to announce their pregnancy, all a fitting end to the close of the final season.
