ITV this week confirmed the worst-kept secret in showbiz when it ordered a third season of the hugely popular period drama Downton Abbey. The second season of the show winds up this weekend in the UK, with each episode averaging about nine million viewers back home – meaning about one Brit in seven was tuned in.
The show’s popularity was barely dented by a recent controversy about some anachronisms in the language, as series creator Julian Fellowes shrugged off the criticism as he announced the third series, saying: “I am extremely grateful to ITV for this. I have grown very fond of my Downton family and I certainly do not want to say goodbye to them quite yet.”
According to reports, the third series will take the Crawley family into the roaring Twenties and maybe even beyond. Executive producer Gareth Neame said this week that there was “no reason” that the show would not continue provided the ratings held up.
“The show’s impact has been greater than anyone could have ever imagined. When Downton was originally conceived, it was mapped out across three series…..But with ratings continuing to reach 11.4 million viewers, our expectations have obviously changed and there is no reason why the show won’t run and run, as long as there is still an audience for it.”
US viewers will have to wait until January 8th to get their fix of season two, but to whet the appetite, PBS this week released a trailer, which can be seen below.
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