The sequel to the first film of the successful British series is opening in Germany on April 28, followed by releases in other European countries and the US.
Even rich aristocratic families do not always have it as easy as it might seem.
While life is outwardly characterized by luxury, fine society, receptions and opulent balls, England at the beginning of the 20th century was a society subject to a wide range of constraints: class conceit, conventions and adherence to old — and often outdated — traditions.
Such is the case at Downton Abbey, the country castle of the Crawley Family — and not only in the fine chambers and drawing rooms of the lords and ladies, but also among the household staff. The castle’s inhabitants have experienced and survived love, intrigues, war and grief over the decades.
The “Downton Abbey” plot is tied into historical events such as the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Spanish flu epidemic and the battle for women’s suffrage.
The fates and fortunes of the figures were broadcast between 2010 and 2015 in the British television series, which continues to be followed by millions of people. Currently, all seasons are running on the streaming service Netflix.
The first film adaptation of “Downton Abbey” opened in theaters in 2019: It grossed $194 million (€182 million), making it more successful than Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-winning “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” which was released the same year.Picking up at the end of the sixth season of the series, the film is set in 1927 and deals with the British royal couple’s visit to Downton Abbey. The screenplay was written by Julian Fellowes, who also wrote the entire series. (DW)