ITV and Carnival Films have announced that a sixth series of hit drama Downton Abbey is on the way with production beginning early next year.
The series is a success across the globe and has picked up multiple awards since it debuted in 2010. The fifth season comes to an end on Sunday and the show will return for a Christmas special in December.
Carnival’s Managing Director, Gareth Neame said, “We have had an amazing reaction to the story lines, acting and production values of Downton Abbey this year and the whole team is thrilled to be moving ahead with a new season of the show. This will provide audiences with a fresh opportunity to see what will befall our much loved characters.”
ITV’s Director of Drama Commissioning, Steve November said, “It is fantastic that Downton continues to be such a phenomenon – still the most popular drama on ITV in its fifth series – and we are thrilled to have commissioned a sixth series. We don’t know yet what Julian has planned, but we are looking forward to working with him, the fantastic cast and Carnival again and have no doubt series six will be unmissable.”
Season 5 will premiere on Masterpiece on PBS on Sunday 4th January 2015.
