ITV commissions fifth series of Downton Abbey

ITV and the makers of Downton Abbey, Carnival Films, have announced the production of a fifth series of the hit period drama.

Reaching an average of 11.8 million viewers for the fourth season, Downton Abbey is the highest rated drama on TV, and since its debut on ITV in 2010 has been sold to over 220 territories and is viewed by an estimated global audience of 120 million people

The final episode, which aired on Sunday night, was watched by 9.5 million people and took a 39% share of the 9pm time-slot.

The fifth series will once again be written by Julian Fellowes and produced by Gareth Neame, the managing director of Carnival, together with Liz Trubridge and Fellowes.

“Audiences have enjoyed their regular Sunday evening visits back to Downton once again this autumn and we are thrilled to produce a new series of the show next year,” said Neame.

“We promise all the usual highs and lows, romance, drama and comedy played out by some of the most iconic characters on television. All actors and makers of the show continue to be humbled by the extraordinary audience response and want to take the show from strength to strength next year.”

ITV’s director of drama commissioning, Steve November, added: “We are enormously happy to have Downton Abbey on ITV and we are delighted to be announcing this new series. With Julian writing and Gareth and Liz producing we know it will be as warm, witty, romantic and dramatic as previous series and we can’t wait to catch up with our favourite characters again.”