- Warning: Spoilers ahead for "
Downton Abbey : A New Era." - Hugh Bonneville told Insider the sequel was a "good way to finish."
Sad news, "Downton Abbey" fans: The end may be nigh for the Crawley family.
Actor Hugh Bonneville told Insider that "Downton Abbey: A New Era" might be the final chapter in the hit franchise, following six seasons as a TV series and two movies.
"A New Era" certainly signals the end of the long-running franchise with the death of beloved "Downton" matriarch, Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Maggie Smith.
"It ends in a somber way in that you've got a death, but then you've got new life. You've got the birth of Tom and Lucy's baby. That's a glorious way to end," said Bonneville.
"A third movie? I don't know. I was thinking there was probably an energy for it, but I suspect things have moved on and that's a good way to finish."
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter this week, Bonneville also said he felt that "Downton" had "run its course."
"I suspect, on a practical level, it's run its course now. I think that was a good time to quit," the actor said.
Bonneville added: "I'm never gonna second guess the future, but did think for a while, actually, yeah, why not, let's keep going. But I do think it could get a bit thin. I think the second film was such a joyous one and such a good note on which to end the story. And it does feel like it can end. There's still open doors in it, but I think it might be the right time to stop."
On the prospect of a third film, Mr. Carson actor Jim Carter told Insider at a recent press junket: "I don't know if it's even been talked about."
"I think it's probably a pragmatic decision on finances, on how much money this makes," Carter added, referring to "A New Era."
"Can you do a third film given the circumstances of the end of the second film?" Carter explained. "I know there's a lot of affection for the characters, but how you would put that out in front of people again, I don't know."
Raquel Cassidy, who plays lady's maid Phyllis Baxter, told Insider: "I certainly think Julian [Fellowes] could do it. It's the appetite, really. If the appetite is there in the wider world, and people pay to go and see it, then I know the appetite is there for us as a group to get together again and have another jolly — if we can do it well."
"Downton Abbey: A New Era" is available now on digital and Peacock, and will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 5.
Disclaimer: Universal Pictures provided Insider travel and accommodation for the "Downton Abbey: A New Era" press junket.