'Downton Abbey' Actor Teases Possible Spinoff Talk

It has become conventional wisdom in our overstuffed entertainment ecosystem that a show must have name recognition to attract viewers. Have an idea for a science fiction series? Have you considered resetting it in the Star Trek universe? Thinking of a workplace comedy? Could it get its paper from Dunder-Mifflin? One thing that The Gilded Age should be given credit for is that it went the other direction. Initially conceived in 2012 as a Downton Abbey prequel about Cora and Robert's romance, it evolved into the far more broadly focused show that airs today, debuting on HBO as a completely original story.

However, with the third and final Downton Abbey film weeks away, and The Gilded Age Season 3 stepping up its game substantially as it reaches the heart of what inspired it, there is apparently talk of an official Downton prequel being batted around behind the scenes.

Elizabeth McGovern recently gave an interview to Deadline, promoting both the third film and her live theater project, Ava: The Secret Conversations. Speaking about the final film and saying goodbye to the franchise, McGovern teased that Downton probably wouldn't be gone long, but that this is the end of the current iteration.