'Downton Abbey' fans rejoice, today, Focus Features has uncovered that not only will the film sequel be gracing us this Christmas however the original principal cast will likewise be returning. Production on the sequel started a week ago and saw Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West join the cast. Downton maker Academy-Award® winner Julian Fellowes will indeed compose the film's screenplay, with Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning Gareth Neame and Emmy Award-winning Liz Trubridge back to produce with Fellowes. BAFTA and Emmy nominated director Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn) will join the filmmaking team to direct the sequel. The first film, which was a spin-off of the exceptionally successful TV series, followed a Royal Visit to the Crawley family and Downton staff from the King and Queen of England and finished with a ball fitting for the Royal Family. Gareth Neame, the film's producer and executive chairman of Carnival Films said, "After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be reunited with the much-beloved characters of Downton Abbey." Focus Features director Peter Kujawski said, "There’s no place like home for the holidays, and we can’t imagine a better gift than getting to reunite with Julian, Gareth, and the entire Downton family in 2021 to bring the Crawley’s back home for their fans." The film is set to release Christmas 2021 on December 22.