Downton Abbey Movie to Broadcast on PBS Reno
First Downton Abbey feature film airs Christmas Day, repeats January 2
RENO, NV (Dec. 10, 2021) — This Christmas, the Crawleys are returning home -- to MASTERPIECE. The Downton Abbey movie, based on the mega-hit television series that won 15 Primetime Emmys® and earned 69 Emmy® nominations and set viewing records for a PBS drama will air on MASTERPIECE on PBS Reno on Christmas Day, December 25, 2021, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, January 2, 2022, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Watch a preview here.
“Public television is where it all started with Downton Abbey, arguably one of the most successful and most-watched series in our history,” said Kurt Mische, PBS Reno President and CEO. “So it just makes sense that the Downton Abbey movie is here for our viewers to enjoy.”
Billed as a grand motion picture event when it opened in theaters in 2019, the Downton Abbey movie follows the beloved Crawley family and their intrepid staff as they prepare for the most important moment of their lives: a royal visit from the King and Queen of England. The momentous occasion will unleash scandal, romance, and intrigue that will leave the future of Downton hanging in the balance.
Starring the original ensemble cast, including Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Douglas Reith and Penelope Wilton, the Downton Abbey movie was the highest-grossing domestic film in Focus Features’ history. Written by series creator Julian Fellowes, who produced alongside Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge, the movie was lauded by press as “an immensely satisfying reunion” (Collider) and “devilishly difficult to resist” (Los Angeles Times). Guest stars also include Stephen Campbell-Moore, Imelda Staunton, and Geraldine James.
“We are so happy to offer our viewers the chance to spend the holidays with the Crawleys,” said MASTERPIECE EP Susanne Simpson. “For Downton Abbey fans, this movie is the perfect treat everyone can enjoy.”
MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston.
The award-winning Downton Abbey television series, which was a Carnival Films/ MASTERPIECE co-production, was a runaway hit when it debuted on MASTERPIECE on PBS and was widely credited with reigniting American viewers’ passion for British drama. It became the top PBS drama of all time, the most popular series in MASTERPIECE’s 50-year history, and one of the most-watched dramas on American television. Viewers can stream all seasons of Downton Abbey on PBS Passport, which is available for a $5 monthly contribution to PBS Reno.
“PBS is proud to have been the home of Downton Abbey on MASTERPIECE for six incredible award-winning seasons,” said Maria Bruno Ruiz, Vice President of Program Scheduling at PBS. “Since its debut in 2011, Downton Abbey has been a runaway hit with fans, and we are thrilled to welcome the Crawley family back to PBS.”
The Downton Abbey movie is a Carnival Films production, originally distributed by Focus Features and Universal Pictures International. Carnival Films is a part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. The movie was directed by Michael Engler and the second motion picture film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, is set to be released in theatres next spring on March 18, 2022.
About PBS Reno
As of November 2020, PBS Reno is watched by more than 124,000 people and more than 85,000 households weekly in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California, with viewership on multicast channels Reno Create and PBS KIDS Reno. PBS Reno channels are also available on cable, satellite services, and via livestream on YouTube TV. PBS Reno provides PBS national programming and award-winning, locally-produced content. PBSReno.org provides engaging interactive content, including the video portal at watch.PBSReno.org that streams all locally-produced content and most PBS national content. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents, and caregivers through immersive educational services including Ready To Learn Workshops that bring classroom lessons to life. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as individual members, PBS Reno has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since 1983.
About MASTERPIECE
Winner of 83 Primetime Emmys® and 18 Peabody Awards, MASTERPIECE has been essential Sunday night viewing for millions of fans since 1971. Susanne Simpson is the executive producer and Rebecca Eaton is the executive-producer-at-large for the series. Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking and Raymond James with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust. Presented on PBS by GBH Boston, MASTERPIECE is known for recent hits such as All Creatures Great and Small, Sherlock, Downton Abbey and Victoria, and beloved classics such as Upstairs Downstairs, Prime Suspect, The Forsyte Saga and Poldark.
About NBCUniversal Global Distribution
NBCUniversal Global Distribution is responsible for the licensing and distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television and new media platforms in the U.S., Canada and in over 200 territories internationally. NBCUniversal’s content portfolio includes a vast and diverse library of more than 5,300 feature films and 120,000 television episodes, including current and classic titles, non-scripted programming, kids, sports, news, long-form and short-form programming from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Television, UCP, NBCUniversal International Studios, Sky Studios, NBC Late Night properties, DreamWorks Animation, Telemundo, and more, as well as locally produced content from around the world. Global Distribution is a division of Comcast NBCUniversal.
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