The Gilded Agecreator Julian Fellowes hints at a new possibility for a crossover withDownton Abbey.The Gilded Ageseason 3, created and executive produced by Fellowes, premieres June 22 on HBO. On September 12,Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the final film of the global phenomenon created by Fellows, premieres in theaters. CouldDownton’s Crawley family unite with the cast ofThe Gilded Age’s 1884 New York City high society?
A story byDeadlineabout Julian Fellowes,The Gilded Age, andDownton Abbey: The Grand Finaleindicates that “a second door of possibility"may open for a crossover inThe Gilded Ageseason 3. WhileDowntonfans have long speculated that Cora Levinson’s (Elizabeth McGovern) family could meet the Russells and Van Rhijns ofThe Gilded Age,Deadline hints at"something totally different,“about which Fellowes says, “We’re not done yet, so we’ll see.“Read below:
Without giving away too much,a second door of possibility is opened betweenThe Gilded AgeandDownton Abbeyfor a crossoverthat fans have discussed at length since the show’s announcement.
Originally, it was believed that the two shows could connect through Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), nee Levinson, an American heiress married to patriarch Robert Crawley, the 7th Earl of Grantham. This season, two families come together in a way that could set up something totally different.
“I kept hearing thatDowntonwas going to be connected to theGilded Age, but the story inDowntonstarts in 1912,” he shared.
When asked if the stories could connect beyond theDowntoncharacters and into their ancestors, he added with a grin,“Maybe. We’re not done yet, so we’ll see.”
The Gilded Age’s Crossover With Downton Abbey Speculation Explained
Downton Characters Live In New York City
The Gilded Ageis set in New York City in the 1880s,decades beforeDownton Abbeybeginsin 1912 in Yorkshire, England. However, whenThe Gilded Agewas being developed, Julian Fellowes mused that Cora Levinson’s family could appear. The Levinsons are led by matriarch Martha Levinson (Shirley McClaine), and Cora would be a teenager inThe Gilded Age’s timeframe.Fans speculated thatThe Gilded Agecould introduce the young Cora meeting Robert Crawley(Hugh Bonneville). Lady Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) would also be in her early 40s duringThe Gilded Age.
However,Deadline’s report that a differentDownton Abbeycrossover could be in the works forThe Gilded Ageseason 3.There are other ancillaryDownton Abbeycharacters in the late 19th-century United States, like the family of Tom Branson (Allen Leech) in Boston. A crossover could involve minor characters connected toDownton’s Crawley clan meeting or already knowing the Van Rhijns, Russells, or the Astors.
Our Take On A Possible Downton Abbey Crossover In The Gilded Age Season 3
The Julian Fellowes Shared Universe Looks Likely
Julian Fellowes wisely didn’t rush into directly connectingDownton AbbeytoThe Gilded Agebecausehe wanted his HBO series to prove it could stand on its own.The Gilded Ageis now a bona fide hit, thanks to its plethora of soapy storylines andcharacters as involving asDownton Abbey’s.The Gilded Ageseason 3 seems like the ideal time to introduce a firm connection toDownton,especially for the synergy leading intoDownton Abbey: The Grand FinaleafterThe Gilded Ageseason 3 ends.
WhileDownton Abbeytakes place decades afterThe Gilded Age,younger versions of some of the Crawleys or characters known to be connected toDowntonpopping up in 1880s New York City would be welcome at this point.The Gilded Age’s universe is complex and can logically include characters fromDowntonvisiting or living in America at that time. The possibility of aDownton Abbeycrossover makesThe Gilded Ageseason 3 even more must-see for Julian Fellowes' fans.
