A Downton Abbey star has hinted at an unexpected return, saying, “I think there will be another film”.
Robert James-Collier, who played Thomas Barrow in the hit period drama, appeared on BBC’s The One Show on Tuesday (November 18) to promote his new Channel 5 drama, Cooper and Fry.
Months after the final Downton film premiered, Robert spoke to hosts Alex Jones and Clara Amfo about the prospect of another instalment.
“Over the summer, we did say goodbye [to Downton], we think definitely for the last time with the final film,” Clara began, with Robert adding: “You never know!”
Clara went on: “What was it like to say goodbye to your character, Thomas? Because you’ve been with that guy for 15 years.”
Robert jokingly replied: “Well, the thing is, I’m from the north of England and we don’t do emotion. Now, I want you to say, ‘Oh, it was all very upsetting,’ but we can’t. It’s a sign of vulnerability.
“For me, we’d had that many false endings that I thought, ‘It’s probably going to go ahead, there will be a Downton 4. Don’t worry about it.'”
The actor went on: “It’s called The Grand Finale, but I think there will be another one. It’ll be fine,” before quipping: “I’ve got a huge mortgage. I need it to happen. I’m putting positive thoughts out there.”
The third and final film brought an end to the story that began all the way back in 2010, with the action following the Crawley family as they enter the 1930s.
The film received widespread praise from critics and fans alike, as it currently boasts an impressive 91% score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
“With a profound embrace of the changing times and clever winks at Downton devotees, writer Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis deliver a heart-swelling conclusion,” Variety wrote, with The Independent adding: “This is about as graceful and fitting an endnote as you could hope for.”
Months after the final film, Robert is now playing an affable police officer in new Channel 5 drama, Cooper and Fry, which also stars Doctor Who’s Mandip Gill.
Based on the best-selling novels by Stephen Booth, the four-part series follows two mismatched young detectives as they investigate a string of mysterious deaths in the Peak District.
Downton Abbey is available to stream on Netflix
