‘Downton Abbey’ season 6: Hugh Bonneville reflects, and looks ahead

The sixth season of “Downton Abbey” is coming to ITV on September 20, and the final eight episodes plus the Christmas Special are going to have the enormous challenge of really closing the door on a series that is for the most part so deeply beloved.

For the entire cast, there is really nothing other than deep appreciation for some of what the series has brought them. It has opened up new doors to them in tremendous ways, and allowed them a chance to take on new, challenging roles elsewhere. This is something that Hugh Bonneville made very clear in a new BBC story, and while he is grateful for playing the Earl of Grantham for so many years, he is looking forward to not doing another period project for some time:

“It certainly opened up opportunities for all of us … I’m going to try not to do something pre-war for 18 months so I can get away from these stiff collars and the rash they bring.”

We have a hard time really imagining that any of the cast is going to have a hard time getting some other parts after all of the work that they have done on this series. After all, why would they? Joanne Froggatt has another project coming on ITV, Michelle Dockery is developing a show for TNT in America, and many other actors are moving over to big-screen projects. If many actors want to head to America, they could be scooped up in the upcoming pilot season.

If you missed it, head over to the link here if you are interested in getting some more updates on the show, including one of the latest trailers! Also, you can sign up to get some other TV updates on everything we cover, sent right to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ITV.)