'Downton Abbey' Heading to the Big Screen? Movie 'Definitely a Possibility'

Is "Downton Abbey" about to be turned into a movie?

The Independent reports that the producers of the ITV period drama are in talks about making "Downton Abbey" into a film. In fact, cast member Raquel Cassidy, who portrays Lady Grantham's housemaid Phyllis Baxter, said during an interview with Daily Mirror that "Downton Abbey" might be coming to the big screen in the future.

"There have been talks and there is definitely a possibility of a 'Downton' film," Cassidy told Daily Mirror. "There is real hope. It's been mentioned more than once and there's a lot of commercial and artistic interest. Stranger things have happened, so watch this space," the actress added.

Julian Fellowes, the period drama's writer, has been asked about a "Downton Abbey" movie. He described the idea as "great fun but insisting that it would not go ahead until the TV series has ended," according to The Independent.

Fellowes has written for several films before, including 2001's "Gosford Park" which he won an Oscar for, the news outlet noted.

'Downton Abbey' Season 6 and Christmas Episode

"Downton Abbey" is widely popular among viewers. An average of 10.4 million watched the fifth series, prompting the show to be renewed for a sixth season, The Independent noted. Executive producer Gareth Neame said that the whole team is excited to push the show forward on the new season.

"We have had an amazing reaction to the storylines, acting and production values of 'Downton Abbey' this year and the whole team is thrilled to be moving ahead with a new season of the show," Neame said, as quoted by the news outlet. "This will provide audiences with a fresh opportunity to see what will befall our much loved characters."

Last Friday, George Clooney made a cameo appearance in the show's sketch for ITV's Text Santa appeal. The actor appeared alongside series regulars Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, and Michelle Dockery, The Independent reported.

The show wrapped up its fifth season in November, and is set to return in Christmas day for a special holiday episode. The two-hour special was described by Bonneville, who portrays Robert Crawley or Lord Grantham, as "heartwarming" and will leave viewers with "a lump in their throats," according to The Telegraph.

The North Devon Journal noted that the holiday episode will cover several weeks near the end of 1924, beginning in the grouse shooting season and will move on to Christmas. The plot will reportedly revolve around "Brancaster Castle in Northumberland rented out by Lord Sinderby for a shooting party, to which the Crawley family is invited. But the grouse don't look like being the only 'victims' of the episode."