By Stig Editor 
‘Downton Abbey’ Star Hugh Bonneville Opens Up About Future in the Franchise: “I’m Happy to Keep Going… If People Still Want Me”
Hugh Bonneville isn’t ready to close the doors of Downton Abbey just yet.
In a candid new interview, the 61-year-old actor beloved for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham revealed he’s more than willing to continue portraying the aristocratic patriarch as long as fans and filmmakers invite him back.
> “I’m happy to keep going if people will have me,” Bonneville shared, reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the iconic British period drama. “It’s been an extraordinary journey, and I never take for granted how much the audience has embraced the Crawleys.”
Bonneville first stepped into Robert Crawley’s shoes when Downton Abbey premiered on ITV in 2010, instantly becoming a central figure in the upstairs-downstairs saga. The series ran for six acclaimed seasons, followed by two hit feature films, most recently Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022.
While there’s been no official word on a third movie, Bonneville hinted that there’s always room for another chapter provided the right story comes along.
> “What makes Downton special is its heart,” he explained. “It’s not just about grand houses and costumes; it’s about people and their lives, loves, and losses. If we can find another story worth telling, I’d love to be there.”
The actor also credited creator Julian Fellowes and the show’s ensemble cast for maintaining its enduring appeal. “There’s such warmth among the cast and crew,” he said. “Coming back always feels like reuniting with family.”
As Bonneville continues to enjoy a varied career on stage and screen from acclaimed dramas to light-hearted comedies his affection for Downton Abbey remains clear.
> “Playing Robert Crawley has been one of the great privileges of my life,” he noted. “I’ll always be proud to be part of something that has meant so much to people around the world.”
Whether or not another film is on the horizon, Bonneville’s words reassure fans that, if the bell rings at Highclere Castle again, the Earl of Grantham will be ready to answer.