About
"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."
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.
Highlights

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

Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey

Julian Fellowes on the structure of Downton Abbey

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

Julian Fellowes on his favorite storylines from Downton Abbey
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early interest in performing and entertainment
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
On appearing in the feature film "Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend"; on making the transition from acting to writing
On writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman; on acting on Monarch of the Glen and various other British series
On how he came to write Downton Abbey
Chapter 2
On the structure of Downton Abbey; on initial public reaction to the program and to particular storylines
On the rape storyline on Downton Abbey; on plotting out Downton Abbey; on his writing process
On his favorite storylines on Downton Abbey; on the legacy of Downton Abbey; on advice to those starting out in the television business
Shows
Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on the structure of Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on initial public reaction to Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on viewer reaction to the storylines on Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on plotting out Downton Abbey and his writing process
Julian Fellowes on his favorite storylines from Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on the legacy of Downton Abbey
Fantasy Island
Julian Fellowes on his life as an actor in Los Angeles, leaving the city, and almost being cast on Fantasy Island
Topics
Advice
Julian Fellowes on advice to those starting out in the television business
First Big Break
Julian Fellowes on writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman
Historic Events and Social Change
Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey
Pivotal Career Moments
Julian Fellowes on writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman
Representation on Television
Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey
Television Industry
Julian Fellowes on advice to those starting out in the television business
Women
Julian Fellowes on the rape storyline on Downton Abbey
Professions
Show Creators
Julian Fellowes on the structure of Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on plotting out Downton Abbey and his writing process
Julian Fellowes on advice to those starting out in the television business
Genres
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey
Julian Fellowes on writing Downton Abbey (Part 2)
People
Robert Altman
Julian Fellowes on writing the feature film "Gosford Park" for director Robert Altman
Gareth Neame
Julian Fellowes on how he came to write Downton Abbey