The creator of Downton Abbey has been chatting further about what fans should expect from the long-awaited movie.

A big screen version of the period drama is likely to begin filming in 2017.

Writer Julian Fellowes told Yahoo: “Most movies you essentially make as a punt, because you don’t know if there’s an audience for it. With Downton, I know there is an audience, so it makes sense to make it.”

He also reassured fans that the rumours of the movie being a prequel or a reboot with a new cast are untrue: “It’s got to be a continuation that’s near enough in time to the series that the same cast could play their roles.”

The final episode of Downton Abbey aired last Christmas on ITV.

Buy the complete Season 1-6 box set on Amazon here.

Fellowes revealed recently that “most of the cast are up for [the movie].”

Dame Maggie Smith has reportedly signed on to return as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, and Michelle Dockery, who played Lady Mary, revealed earlier this year that she would “wholeheartedly consider” appearing. Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates) has said she is “98% per cent sure it will happen” and Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) is also keen to return.

What do you want to see in the Downton Abbey movie? Let us know below…