Downton Abbey sequel trailer teases big international move for the Crawleys

The first trailer for the Downton Abbey sequel was unveiled at CinemaCon, Cinema event, in Las Vegas on Wednesday and the promo hints at international travel for the cast.

The promotional trailer was unveiled at an event just recently for a select crowd, but ardent fans of the beloved series and film have yet to set eyes on this trailer.

Luckily, the footage has been seen by some reporters at Deadline who report that in the trailer, "the Crawley family and the Downton staff as preparations for an overseas journey are underway." How exciting! Although it's still unclear if this is just a vacation or a relocation for the Crawleys.

Deadline continued to report that in one line of footage Jim Carter as Mr. Carson announces, “The British are coming.” They add, "There’s lots of glitz and glamour and jazz, as well as, evidently, a wedding," although it's unclear if this is taking place at the family's ancestral home, Downton Abbey.

But where might the Downton gang be traveling? Well, there are a few good options. As Cora is American and various members of the family have traveled across the pond before, the Crawley clan could be making a trip to the US.

However, some believe that perhaps the Crawley's will be traveling to France. This is because the producers of the show announced that the famous French film star, Nathalie Bay (who you may recognize from Call my Agent) has been cast in the show.

While it is unclear what her role in this show will be, the actress is a well-known fixture in french cinema and it is entirely possible that she has been cast as a French character in the new Downton Abbey sequel.

What is Downton Abbey the sequel called?

It was announced in August 2021 that the film will be titled Downton Abbey: A New Era. 

While some fans are saddened that the film is not called 'Downton Abbey 2'—and another who is sad it isn't called 'Downtwon Abbey—mostly, fans are intrigued by this 'new era' that has been promised by the producers of the beloved series. 

Who is in Downton Abbey: A New Era?

The Downton cast members who appeared in the original television series and the spin-off film, have been confirmed to return to the sequel.

This includes the main cast members: Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Joanne Froggatt, Jim Carter, and Laura Carmichael.

Maggie Smith will also be returning. Rumors began flying after Maggie Smith's character Violet announced that her health was suffering at the end of the last film. 

However, when questioned about Violet's possible death in the film, Gareth Neame, one of the producers behind the film, told The Hollywood Reporter, "all I would say is that one of the things that’s been commented on over the years about Downton is that we’ve had plenty of medical misdiagnoses." So perhaps Violet isn't ill at all!

Downton Abbey also announced on social media that there will be a host of new faces joining the film.  It was rumored that Dominic West could join the cast of Downton Abbey sequel as a wealthy aristocrat, and that rumor has now been confirmed!

The show's Twitter page said, "A new era begins. The entire Downton cast is back for #DowntonAbbey: A New Era, with Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye, and Dominic West joining. See the film only in theaters March 18, 2022."

Although it was announced earlier in the year that the Downton Abbey movie sequel reportedly set to make all our Christmas 2021 as the film was due to be released in December, the date has now changed.

Downton Abbey: A New Era is now set to be released on Friday 18th March 2021.