More than 750 fans gathered in theatres in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg for the WHRO premiere of Downton Abbey. Fans have been waiting a long time for the film and for the return of their favorite characters. Many of the attendees dressed for the occasion in their best 1920s attire.

Watch a video featuring highlights from the event:

Full of beautiful cinematography and musical genres spanning from upbeat jazz of the “roaring twenties” to romantic waltzes, the film doesn’t disappoint. Many of the original characters return, including Lady Violet Crawley whose humorous one-liners are sure to delight audiences.

The film takes viewers back to Highclere Castle where the Crawleys and their staff are preparing for a royal visit from the King and Queen of England. Their visit brings chaos, scandal, romance and intrigue -- all in a beautiful package of characters and settings that fans have missed.

Downton Abbey opens in theaters on Friday, September 20. While you wait, watch the trailer below and check out trivia from the film.

Catch up on past episodes before watching the movie.

Watch the trailer:

Did you know?

• The royal visit of George V to Downton Abbey was based on his real-life visit to Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire which was used in the film for the ballroom scenes.
• Max Brown who plays one of the Kings valets played royalty himself. He played Robert Henstridge a fictional English Prince who becomes King on the TV show The Royals.
• The script for the film was distributed to original cast members in early 2017.
• Matthew Goode, who played Lady Mary’s husband Henry Talbot in the final series, appears only briefly due to other commitments.
• Highclere Castle, an estate in Hampshire where much of both the series and the movie were filmed, can be rented by the public for weddings and parties. It also really did operate as a hospital for soldiers during World War I.

 

Sources:
Imdb.com | Uselessdaily.com | MentalFloss.com

 

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