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Is it the end for Downton Abbey?

Downton Abbey

After coming off a huge win at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, it appears Downton Abbey will call it a day after the sixth season.

Creator of the hit British show, Julian Fellowes, is set to leave the period drama to work on a new series titled The Gilded Age for NBC, about 19th-century New York.

Joanne Froggatt, who plays Mrs Bates, Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) and Allen Leech (Tom Branson) all had meetings with producers while in LA for the recent SAG Awards, according to the UK Mirror.

“We wouldn’t comment on speculative stories about our programs,” ITV, the broadcaster for the show said in a statement.

The fate of the show has been in the air since the second season. Last year executive producer Gareth Neame said, “I’m not sure what its life span will be, but it won’t be 10 years.

“In the short term, I’m sure it’s going to be around for a few more years, but I don’t think it will be a show that will last that long.

“I want it to be a show that people enjoy when they’re watching it now and in 10 years’ time still look back on it incredibly fondly and remember it.”

Well this is heartbreaking – I think we need Carson to prepare us a stiff drink!

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