"Downton Abbey" creator plans a prequel spin-off series
(CBS News) "Downton Abbey" fans could get a glimpse into the lives of the Earl and Countess of Grantham before they ran the Yorkshire country estate together.
Series creator Julian Fellowes plans to write a series prequel chronicling Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora's (Elizabeth McGovern) romance.
"I do actually have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship of Robert and Cora, when all those American heiresses were arriving in London," Fellowes said at the BAFTA Screenwriters' Lecture series, according to BBC. "They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money."
The spin-off series would feature younger actors in the roles of Robert and Cora.
"I sort of feel there's something quite nice in there because he's a decent cove, and so he feels rather guilty about this, which has affected their marriage beyond that," he said.
Fellowes said that if he does do a prequel book or TV series, it would come out after "Downton Abbey" ends.
"I don't think you can continue a narrative in more than one area at once," he noted.
Season three of "Downton Abbey" premiered in the U.K. on Sept. 16 and will debut in the U.S. on Jan. 6.