It’s Official: ‘Downton Abbey’ Renewed for Series 5!

Megahit costume drama Downton Abbey just wrapped its fourth season in the UK, and we’ve still got several weeks to go before we get the new episodes arrive in America, but there’s still some good news to be had for fans of the Crawley clan.

ITV has officially confirmed that Downton Abbey will return for a fifth season. Rejoice, fans everywhere! This news isn’t incredibly surprising, given that Downton is a monster ratings hit on both sides of the Atlantic, and its fourth season just averaged around 11.8 million viewers per episode in Great Britain. The delay between UK and US airings hasn’t impacted ratings for the show here in America, as it remains PBS’s most-watched drama to date.

Filming is slated to begin in early 2014 with a UK broadcast slated for next Fall. It seems likely that – if previous patterns hold – Downton Abbey Series 5 will air in the US in January 2015, so start walling off some space in your calendar appropriately now. It's never too early. 

“Audiences have enjoyed their regular Sunday evening visits back to Downton once again this autumn and we are thrilled to produce a new series of the show next year," added Executive Producer and Carnival managing director Gareth Neame. "We promise all the usual highs and lows, romance, drama and comedy played out by some of the most iconic characters on television. All the actors and makers of the show continue to be humbled by the extraordinary audience response and want to take the show from strength to strength next year.”

"As American audiences ready themselves for the January 5th premiere of Season 4, our devoted Dowton Abbey fans will rest easy knowing that a fifth season is on the way," added MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton.

Are you excited that there will be more Downton Abbey to look forward to after Series 5?