What Will Happen in the Return of “Downton Abbey”?

When the last episode of Downton Abbey aired in 2015, many viewers felt as if they were losing old friends. So it will be quite the lovely reunion when the Crawleys and company return on the big screen September 20. Returning characters include Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), “poor Lady Edith” (Laura Carmichael), and most importantly, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith). Our friends downstairs are also in residence, including mercurial cook Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nichol), Anna (Joanne Froggat) and her husband Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle); kindhearted Mrs. Hughes (Phyliss Logan) now married to Mr. Carson (Jim Carter).

And if you were a fan of the smolderingly sexy Thomas (Rob James-Collier) who was outed as gay in the series —  he’s back too.  It seems he’ll have a chance for romance (the trailer shows him sharing a kiss with another gent). One of the film’s central plotlines revolves around a royal visit by King George V and wife Queen Mary of Teck.

And if you don’t know Mary of Teck (the current queen’s grandmother), Google her immediately. She knew her bling, and exactly how to flash it. Otherwise, series creator Julian Fellowes has kept mum about what his rabid followers might expect from the film. However in related news, his long-awaited follow-up series The Gilded Age recently moved to HBO. focusfeatures.com/downton-abbey

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