Julian Fellowes is to create a new drama about the invention of modern football.
The ‘Downton Abbey’ creator has joined forces with Netflix for the project, which will be titled ‘The English Game’ and tell the story of how factory workers and Eton College attendees came together to kick off the beautiful game.
Speaking at Netflix’s See What’s Next showcase, Erick Barmack, the company’s vice-president of International Originals, said: "From the UK we have a six-part drama about the invention of modern football, and how those involved in its creation reached across the class divide to establish the game that’s the world’s most popular sport.
"This is part Etonians, this is part factory workers coming together to create the world’s most popular sport. This is produced by 42 and written by ‘Downton Abbey’ creator Julian Fellowes."
It looks set to be a busy time for Julian, who last year confirmed he had started writing the script for the ‘Downton Abbey’ movie in preparation for the potential motion picture to be given the go-ahead.
The 68-year-old scribe said: "I’ve done some work on the script because I don’t want to find there’s a green light and no script ready. But we’re still waiting for that green light from the studio.
"Then the biggest difficulty will be rounding up all the cast as, compared with most series, it has such a large cast. And it needs them to feel Downtonesque."
Phyllis Logan – who played Mrs Hughes in the period drama – revealed in January that a script is "floating around" and that she has been waiting to be asked back for a big screen adaptation of the show.
She said: "I’m waiting for the call. I think they’re waiting until it’s sort of finalised before any of us get a proper look at it."
Julian Fellowes to create modern football drama
