New British period film hailed 'best of them all' is out on Friday

The last film in this beloved period drama franchise is set for release on Friday and it has been hailed the "best movie of them all" in early reviews. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a historical drama film directed by Simon Curtis from a screenplay by Julian Fellowes. It is the sequel to Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) and the third and final film in the Downton Abbey franchise. Many of the original franchise's cast members, who also appeared in the previous two films, will return. Paul Giamatti and Dominic West will reprise their roles as Harold Levinson from the television series and Guy Dexter from the previous film, respectively. Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan will join the cast for the last instalment.

The film's synopsis reads: "In the summer of 1930, the Crawleys grapple with the threat of social disgrace when Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble." After six seasons and two stunning films, this looks to be the last part in the Downton Abbey story, however, writer Fellowes has been a bit more fluid about the franhise ending, stating: "I don't know. Every time I say, 'Oh yes, that's definitely it. Goodbye, and I'll never do it again.'

"Then, within a year, I'm back doing something. So I never say never anymore. But I think it's the last with the original cast. The young women who arrived in their early twenties are now in their late thirties, and they've all married, had babies, been divorced, and God knows what else."

However, actor Michelle Dockery told Collider: "This time around, I think we really relished every minute [of filming].

She continued: "It being the last, it felt really, really special. Like anything, when something comes to an end, it's emotional but just such a happy place to be. It's always been a very happy place to be and a wonderful thing to be part of for the last 15 years."

The teaser of the trailer tells us "it's time to say goodbye," but only time will tell if the popular franchise really is coming to its end.

Early reviews lead us to believe the film will be the last in the series, with one stating: "Fellowes & Curtis have gifted audiences with a trilogy closer that's worth coming back for as it brings satisfying closure to world and hits about every emotional note a fan could hope for in seeing these characters off to their imagined futures."

Another critic described the film as the "best Downton movie of them all".

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is out in cinemas on September 12.