Downton Abbey 2 arrives in movie theaters on Christmas 2021 and the sequel has to answer some major lingering questions from 2019's Downton Abbey feature film. Once again written by creator Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey 2 will reportedly reunite the entire principal cast of the 2010-2016 global smash hit BBC/Masterpiece PBS TV series and the inaugural film that continued the story of the Crawley family. Although the story is under wraps, Focus Features announced Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye, and Dominic West will join the sequel in undisclosed roles.

Downton Abbey (2019) was set in 1927, roughly a year after the events of the TV series concluded. A visit to Downton by King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) caused chaos both upstairs and downstairs. The servants revolted against the Royal Household intruding on their turf by ensuring they served the King and Queen themselves. Meanwhile, drama unfolded upstairs with Tom Branson (Allen Leech) foiling an assassination attempt on the King while Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) clashed with her cousin, Lady Maud Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton), over her plans to leave her estate to her maid, Lucy (Tuppence Middleton), who was secretly Lady Maud's illegitimate daughter.

Related: Downton Abbey Movie Ending Explained

Of course, all of the matters were resolved with good cheer as Downton's servants defended the glory of their house while the Crawleys celebrated in a spectacular ball reaffirming old relationships while also creating a budding new romance. Yet Downton Abbey's happy ending also left several lingering plot threads that beg for the sequel to address. Downton Abbey is, in essence, a sumptuous soap opera with an expansive cast, and as the next chapter in the saga of the Crawley family, Downton Abbey 2 must answer these major questions.

Will Lady Violet The Dowager Countess Die?

The Downton Abbey movie ended with Lady Violet confiding in her granddaughter, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), that she doesn't have long to live. The Dowager Countess mysteriously traveled to London during the film and came home with the news that she has an undisclosed illness that is terminal. The ball at Harewood served as Lady Violet's farewell as she enjoyed watching her beloved family dance the night away, secure in the knowledge that Mary would one day succeed her as Downton's scary old lady who makes sure everything lives up to the mark.

Downton Abbey 2's announcement that the "entire" cast will return would appear to mean Dame Maggie Smith would be among them, despite the fitting farewell Lady Violet received and Smith's own public statements that she was done playing the Dowager Countess. If Maggie Smith is indeed in Downton Abbey 2, does that mean fans will have to watch Lady Violet die on-screen? Or will she stubbornly overcome her illness? On the flip side of the coin, Maggie Smith not appearing, after all, could mean Lady Violet may have died in between films. While it would be a shame to ruin the perfect ending Lady Violet got in Downton Abbey 2019, it certainly wouldn't be the same without her witty, insightful barbs.

Will Tom Branson Marry Lucy Smith?

Downton Abbey Tom dancing with Lucy on the terrace

Tom Branson fell in love with Lucy Smith in Downton Abbey 2019 - an outcome that delighted Lady Violet and the Crawleys since it means Tom could end up controlling the Brumpton Estate that Lucy will inherit from her mother, Lady Maud. To Branson's credit, the noble Irishman fancied Lucy in spite of her inheritance and he's not looking to marry for money. Tom is seven years removed from the death of his wife, Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay), and he's happily raising their daughter Sybbie (Fifi Hart) while running an auto shop with Mary's husband, Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode). If Branson marries Lucy, he will do it for love, and vice versa, since Tom is the only person who understands Lucy's predicament as someone raised up into the upper class.

Related: Downton Abbey Movie's 10 Biggest Unanswered Questions

Tom and Lucy dancing the night away during the Harewood Ball set up their eventual marriage, which could take place in Downton Abbey 2. A Crawley family wedding would be a worthy plot device to reunite the cast for Downton Abbey 2, and the machinations of the Crawleys to ensure that the Brumpton Estate lands under Tom's control could create friction between Branson and his in-laws.

Will Daisy Marry Andy?

Andy and Daisy smiling offering toast

Downton Abbey 2 could even feature two weddings, upstairs and downstairs. The Downton Abbey TV series ended with Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera) engaged to the footman, Andy Parker (Michael C. Fox), and the Downton Abbey movie saw all of Daisy's doubts about Andy alleviated. Daisy began as a young scullery maid and she grew up in Downton, eventually becoming an assistant cook. But Daisy also educated herself and became an outspoken woman of her own opinions. She worried Andy wasn't ambitious enough, but Daisy learned during Downton Abbey 2019 that Andy is as passionate as she is. Not only did Daisy realize she was happy at the end of Downton Abbey but the film was a clear set-up for Andy and Daisy's wedding, which will hopefully come to fruition in the sequel.

Did Lady Edith Give Birth To Her Baby?

Edith poses with Bertie Downton Abbey

Lady Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexam (Laura Carmichael) announced that she and her husband Bertie Pelham, Marquess of Hexam, are pregnant. In Downton Abbey 2019, this caused a problem as King George wanted to send Bertie overseas, which would mean missing his own child's birth. However, Edith's mother Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) took care of that problem so that the King released Bertie from his obligation.

This means that the Crawleys will welcome a new baby, which could be a big plot point in Downton Abbey 2. This also means that Edith's daughter Marigold (Eve and Karina Samms) will have a half-sibling, and who knows what drama that will end up creating? Further, Edith expressed how much she missed her old job running a magazine now that she is a Marchioness so perhaps Downton Abbey 2 will see Lady Edith taking charge of her career once again.

Related: Downton Abbey Movie Is Just The TV Show Again (But That's Why It's Great)

Will Thomas Barrow Find Happiness?

In Downton Abbey 2019, Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) befriended Richard Ellis (Max Brown), the King's valet, and discovered Ellis was also a closeted gay man hiding in plain sight. Barrow further learned there are underground nightclubs where gay men can go to be themselves, which he had no idea existed. The club was raided by police and Barrow was arrested but Mr. Ellis came to his rescue. Barrow and Ellis promised to stay friends.

Downton Abbey 2 will hopefully continue Barrow's exploration of gay culture in the late 1920s/early 1930s. Barrow used to be one of Downton Abbey's seething villains but he was miserable because he had to hide his sexuality. Thomas experienced a remarkable character turnaround as the TV series progressed and he was rewarded by becoming Downton Abbey's butler, replacing Mr. Carson (Jim Carter). Will Mr. Ellis return and will Barrow continue his road to finding happiness in Downton Abbey 2?

Will Lady Rose Aldridge (Lily James) Appear?

Lady-Rose-MacClare-Lily-James

Lily James was the most glaring absentee from Downton Abbey 2019 but will she finally return for the sequel? James starred as Lady Rose Aldridge, the Crawleys' kindhearted but troublemaking cousin, in Downton Abbey seasons 4 and 5.  Rose moved to America with her husband Atticus (Matt Barber), although they both returned for the series finale. Lady Rose, as well as Aunt Rosamund (Samantha Bond), the sister of Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), were the two main characters conspicuously missing from the first Downton Abbey movie. Since leaving the show, Lily James has gone onto movie stardom but hopefully, Lady Rose will come back for Downton Abbey 2.

Next: What To Expect From Downton Abbey 2