Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes has created a new series, The Gilded Age, which has been picked up by HBO. Fans of the well-known period drama will be excited to learn that the writer will be bringing the show to TV screens with the production company that has given us the likes of The Sopranos, True Detective and Game of Thrones.
The new series from the writer of the hugely popular costume drama will be making its way to HBO after a hotly contested bidding war. Julian Fellowes is the talent behind the much-loved period drama that became a world-wide phenomenon. He will now bring The Gilded Age to HBO, where fans of Downton Abbey will be keen to immerse themselves once again in great storytelling and period drama, this time relating to lavish and extravagant nineteenth century New York society.
According to Vulture, The Gilded Age will consist of ten episodes written by Fellowes who is also the executive producer, along with Gareth Neale. Michael Engler will direct. The show will follow the story of Marian Brook, a Southern general’s daughter who is orphaned and moves to New York under the care of her aunts. There she is thrown into a world of wealth and opulence, with dynasties such as the Astors and Vanderbilts a part of the world that she now inhabits. The show has been in development since 2012, with NBC originally slated as its home. Since then, it has found its way to HBO, and it seems that they are delighted with their acquisition. HBO president Casey Bloys had this to say:
Given the opulent scope and scale of this richly textured character drama, HBO is the perfect home for The Gilded Age… We’re all huge fans of Julian and I know I speak for Bob Greenblatt — who was involved in the development of this series while at Universal Television — when I say we’re thrilled to bring his undeniable genius to our viewers.
Downton Abbey has arguably been one of the most popular and commercial successes for writer Julian Fellowes and became a global phenomenon, preceding a slew of period dramas from others, such as Poldark, Victoria and Versailles to name but a few. And, following on from this success, the show is now taking to the big screen, with the Downtown Abbey movie now in production. Written by Fellowes, fans can look forward to seeing the movie hit theaters in September 2019.
Given that this news comes at the end of one of TV’s most epic and successful series, Game of Thrones, this will be yet another string added to the bow of HBO who have lined up original and returning programming in order to fill the vacuum left by such as huge show. So far, this includes the popular Big Little Lies, and Jordan Peele’s Lovecraft Country as well as shows yet to be scheduled from the likes of J.J. Abrams.
The Gilded Age promises to bring the great storytelling, memorable characters and lavish costume drama sets that we expect from Fellowes as well as the huge production value offered by HBO. Where it will fare in relation to Downton Abbey is yet to be seen, though with such esteemed writing talent as Julian Fellowes at the helm, it looks likely that this will become a huge asset for HBO, and for their post-Game of Thrones era.
Source: Vulture