Christmas Special for Downton Abbey

ITV has confirmed it has ordered a Christmas Special of its hit Edwardian drama Downton Abbey.

 

ITV has confirmed it has ordered a Christmas Special of its hit Edwardian drama Downton Abbey. The broadcaster has already ordered a second series of Downton Abbey which will run for eight episodes. Actors Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton are all expected to return. However, owing to the huge success of the Edwardian drama when it aired over the Autumn ITV have now revealed it’s ordered a one-off Christmas Special as well.

 

“Julian Fellowes has come up with a fantastic story that will give the audience that chance to enjoy the experience of the festive season at Downton Abbey. We’re delighted to have this as part of our Christmas schedule for December 2011.” – Laura Mackie, ITV director of drama.

 

The first series of Downton Abbey was a huge success for ITV with ratings topping 9 million viewers making it ITV’s most successful period drama since Brideshead Revisited in 1981. ITV have also revealed that Downton Abbey has become a success in America where it airs on Masterpiece. According to ITV the series has been reaching 6.7 million viewers; Masterpieces’ highest rated show for some years.