“DOWNTON Abbey 2” — the sequel to the first “Downton Abbey” film from 2019 — has officially been announced, with production starting last week and Dominic West having joined the cast.

Focus Features, which confirmed the news alongside Carnival Films, said that creator Julian Fellowes and the original principal cast — including Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery — would be back.

Focus added that additional stars joining the sequel included Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock and Nathalie Baye and that it would be in cinemas Dec. 22. Carnival’s Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge return to produce alongside Fellowes, with Simon Curtis joining to direct.

“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,’” said Neame.

The 2019 film — marking the first return of the Crawley family since the hugely-successful “Downton Abbey” series ended in 2016 — followed a royal visit to Downton and assassination attempt on the king of England. It proved to be a huge performer, earning more than US$194 million from a budget estimated at US$13-20 million.

(SD-Agencies)