"The skeleton of 'Downton Abbey' was, in fact, American. It was much more like 'West Wing' and 'ER' and these very pacey, multi-narrative stories. We consciously were making them to this modern energy, to this thing where you can't miss it. You pick up the phone - 'No, no, I'm watching 'Downton Abbey' - because you know if you miss more than a minute you've lost part of one of the stories. It was right for the zeitgeist."  

    About This Interview

    In his hour-and-a-half interview, Julian Fellowes talks about his early life and discovering his interest in performing. He recalls his first experiences as an actor and making the decision early on to be a film or television actor rather than a stage performer. He recounts appearing in several BBC series and the feature films Full Circle and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend. He discusses looking for acting work in Los Angeles and almost being cast as Hervé Villechaize's replacement on Fantasy Island. Fellowes then outlines his transition to becoming a writer, shares how he was tapped to write the feature film Gosford Park for director Robert Altman, and explains how the project eventually led to Gareth Neame approaching him to write what became Downton Abbey. Fellowes details the creation and writing of Downton Abbey, finding the right location to shoot it, and dealing with departing cast members. He comments on Downton Abbey's popularity, and talks of how audiences have reacted to the program's controversial storylines. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on May 4, 2014 in Beverly Hills, CA. 

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Julian Fellowes

    Julian Fellowes on writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman

    07:52
    Thumbnail of Julian Fellowes

    Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey

    08:23
    Thumbnail of Julian Fellowes

    Julian Fellowes on the structure of Downton Abbey

    03:59
    Thumbnail of Julian Fellowes

    Julian Fellowes on his life as an actor in Los Angeles, leaving the city, and almost being cast on Fantasy Island

    02:47
    Thumbnail of Julian Fellowes

    Julian Fellowes on his favorite storylines from Downton Abbey

    06:40
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on his early interest in performing and entertainment

    11:28

    On his first roles in television as an actor and learning how to act in front of the camera; on his first feature film as an actor, "Full Circle"; on moving to Los Angeles

    13:10

    On appearing in the feature film "Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend"; on making the transition from acting to writing

    11:38

    On writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman; on acting on Monarch of the Glen  and various other British series 

    13:51

    On how he came to write Downton Abbey

    08:23

    Chapter 2

    On the structure of Downton Abbey; on initial public reaction to the program and to particular storylines

    08:26

    On the rape storyline on Downton Abbey; on plotting out Downton Abbey; on his writing process

    07:55

    On his favorite storylines on Downton Abbey; on the legacy of Downton Abbey; on advice to those starting out in the television business

    13:54

    Downton Abbey

    Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey

    08:23

    Julian Fellowes on the structure of Downton Abbey

    03:59

    Julian Fellowes on initial public reaction to Downton Abbey

    03:11

    Julian Fellowes on viewer reaction to the storylines on Downton Abbey

    01:16

    Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey

    03:35

    Julian Fellowes on plotting out Downton Abbey and his writing process

    04:20

    Julian Fellowes on his favorite storylines from Downton Abbey

    06:39

    Julian Fellowes on the legacy of Downton Abbey

    03:59

    Fantasy Island

    Julian Fellowes on his life as an actor in Los Angeles, leaving the city, and almost being cast on Fantasy Island

    02:47

    Advice

    Julian Fellowes on advice to those starting out in the television business 

    02:57

    First Big Break

    Julian Fellowes on writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman

    07:52

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey

    03:34

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Julian Fellowes on writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman

    07:52

    Representation on Television

    Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey

    03:34

    Television Industry

    Julian Fellowes on advice to those starting out in the television business 

    02:57

    Women

    Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey

    03:34

    Show Creators

    Julian Fellowes on the structure of Downton Abbey

    03:59

    Julian Fellowes on plotting out Downton Abbey  and his writing process

    04:20

    Julian Fellowes on advice to those starting out in the television business 

    02:57

    Daytime/Primetime Serials

    Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey

    08:23

    Julian Fellowes on writing Downton Abbey  (Part 2) 

    26:59

    Robert Altman

    Julian Fellowes on writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman

    07:52

    Gareth Neame

    Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey

    08:23

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