'Downton Abbey' is headed to the big screen

“Downton Abbey's” Crawley family and the denizens of their sprawling English estate are opening a new chapter in the charming upstairs-downstairs saga.

Focus Features and Carnival Films announced Friday production on a “Downton Abbey” feature film, with the principal cast members set to return, along with Emmy- and Oscar-winning creator Julian Fellowes, who wrote the film's screenplay and will produce the project with Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge.

Brian Percival, who directed the ITV series' pilot, will direct, and Nigel Marchant will also return to executive produce.

The movie begins production later this summer, but there's no word yet on when it will be released.

The six-season television series followed the aristocratic English family and their servants as they struggled and adapted to the 20th century. The period drama became a smash hit stateside and across the pond during its run from 2010-15.

“Downton Abbey,” which aired on PBS in the U.S., became the most-nominated non-U.S. television show in the history of the Primetime Emmys, notching 69 nominations and 15 wins, several of which went to beloved star Maggie Smith, who played the scene-stealing matriarch, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.

The show revitalized PBS and made international stars of its ensemble cast, including Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens, Elizabeth McGovern and Lily James. It also earned three Golden Globe Awards, a special BAFTA and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production,” said Neame, Carnival Films' executive chairman. “Julian's script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival's hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as ‘Downton' comes to the big screen.”

Focus Features and Universal Pictures International will be distributing the forthcoming film.

Interest in the lush series has continued well after it ended, prompting creators to launch the fully immersive “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition” in New York City, which transports visitors into a re-creation of the grand Crawley home, complete with its exclusive formal dining room, Mrs. Patmore's hectic kitchen and Lady Mary's bedroom.