Julian Fellowes has no say in how ‘Downton Abbey’ will end.
The series creator has confessed any decisions regarding the finale of the popular ITV period drama are out of his control and lie in the hands of the show’s owners, NBC Universal.
He told The New York Times newspaper: "It’s not really my decision. I don’t own ‘Downton Abbey’ now.
"NBC Universal [which owns Carnival Films] owns Downton Abbey. So I could walk away. But I wouldn’t walk away. It’s too much my baby."
The 65-year-old screenwriter claims that although he "can’t immediately" say when Downton will end, he is also "not a believer" in keeping shows going longer than they need to.
While a sixth season of the drama is set to air later this year, Julian added he can’t see the 20th century set drama continuing past World War Two, as it would be a "different series" with aged characters.
He said: "Maybe people would say, ‘Oh my God, that’s baby George, grown up!’ But I don’t think it would be continuous, with Michelle Dockery with her hair covered with talcum powder."
However, fans will be pleased to hear rumours that Dame Maggie Smith – who plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham – was planning to exit the show have been quashed by a spokesperson for the 80-year-old actress.
Her representative said in a statement: "[Smith] has always been on the record as saying she’ll be with the show for as long as the show runs."
Julian Fellowes on the end of ‘Downton Abbey’
