New Trailer For 'Downton Abbey' Reveals Royal Visit & Gay Romance

Robert James-Collier as "Thomas Barrow" in Downton Abbey

The first full trailer for the upcoming Downton Abbey movie is here, and it features some same-sex lip lock action.

Last December, director Michael Engler told Entertainment Weekly that the film’s storyline would focus on an “event.”

“Life is settling into these new realities when this event happens at Downton that brings everyone together, “ Engler shared with EW. “The story line has expanded the scale of it. It takes the things you love about Downton - the romance, the intrigue, the pageantry - and makes it bigger.”

In the new trailer, it's revealed that Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) receive news of a royal visitation to Downton Abbey by none other than the king and queen of England.

The estate whirls into action preparing for the occasion, but Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) feels the need to call in the heavy artillery. So, she reaches out to retired butler Carson for help.

Of course, Carson could never say ‘no’ to Mary. “I’ll be there in the morning.”

Midway through the new trailer, it appears that sometime-villain and butler Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) has found himself a boyfriend as we glimpse him strolling with, and then kissing, a handsome young man.

Thomas gets a boyfriend?

And, of course, it wouldn't be Downton Abbeywithout some witty repartee from the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith).

Over its 6 seasons, the series won 3 Golden Globe Awards and 15 Primetime Emmy Awards (69 Emmy nods in total), making Downton Abbeythe most nominated non-US television show in the history of the Emmys.

The movie lands in theaters on September 12 internationally, and in the U.S. on September 20.

First Teaser For Upcoming 'Downton Abbey' Movie

Executive producer Gareth Neame tells EW about the upcoming cinematic event that will be Downton Abbey:

“We had to do everything that all the fans wanted, but we had to do something that was fresh and original. We wanted a kind of storyline and sense of scale and production value that exceeded even the very high production values the TV show was remembered for.

"On the big screen, it just had to look a little bit more lavish and a little bit bigger and better.

"It’s a return to these really beloved characters and seeing them in new sets of circumstances and how they will deal with those, and hopefully, a good mix of the drama, comedy, and romance that had been the mainstays of it all.”

Squeee!!! We love Downton Abbey here at my house!!!

Downton Abbey will hit theaters on Sept. 20, 2019.

Watch the teaser below.

Behind The Scenes Of The Upcoming 'Downton Abbey' Movie

The cast of 'Downton Abbey' (image via ITV)

The hit British TV drama Downton Abbey is finally getting its own movie.

The most successful costume/period series in 40 years, Downton Abbey picked up three Golden Globe Awards and 15 Primetime Emmy Awards over its six seasons (2010-2015).

According to PEOPLE, principal cast members Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Joanne Froggatt, Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern are all returning as well as many other longtime cast members.

No word yet, though, as to whether Robert James-Collier will return as the semi-villainous gay butler, "Thomas Barrow."

Throughout the show's six seasons, Barrow fell in love with straight men, underwent conversion therapy in an attempt to 'cure' his gayness and attempted suicide. In the series finale, however, he was recommended to become the new head butler for the estate.

The TODAY Show paid a visit to Highclere Castle in north Hampshire, UK to get a first look at the upcoming film set to premiere September 20, 2019, in the United States.

The creators, cast and crew are all being very tight-lipped about any storyline or even a hint about what may be in store for the the Crawley family and the servants who worked in their country home.

Although, in the video report below, Hugh Bonneville does attempt to trick us with his own fake storyline.

Handsome Allen Leech, who plays “Tom Branson,” recently told Vanity Fair that the film will be emotional. “It’s Julian (Fellowes) — you’re going to have tears. He’s never too saccharine-sweet, so be prepared for everything.”

“It’s a big, epic story that’s definitely going to fill the big screen,” Leech continued. “That was our worry about taking the show from the small screen to the big screen. But you have Julian Fellowes, who won an Oscar for writing, and he’s done a great job with the story.”

Alastair Bruce, who serves as the historical advisor on the project recently posted on Twitter, "Last night, we left @HighclereCastle after the filming [what] we needed for the upcoming #DowntonAbbey film - we staged the last scene in the kitchen courtyard - exactly where we shot the very first @DowntonAbbey scene at the start of filming for series 1 #whatajourney."

Last night, we left @HighclereCastle after the filming we needed for the upcoming #DowntonAbbey film - we staged the last scene in the kitchen courtyard - exactly where we shot the very first @DowntonAbbey scene at the start of filming for series 1 #whatajourney @FocusFeatures pic.twitter.com/lAHGTUULZn

— Alastair Bruce (@AlastairBruce_) October 17, 2018

Cast and crew preparing to shoot a scene in a very recognisable bedroom! Can you tell us who it belongs to? #DowntonAbbeyFilm pic.twitter.com/KBpNfCYOBH

— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) November 6, 2018

For a time, there were questions as to whether the delightfully droll Dame Maggie Smith would return for the film

During an appearance on the Graham Norton Show, she was asked if she was glad the show was over and she answered in the affirmative, "Oh yeah."

"By the time we finished, [The Dowager Countess] must have been about 110. It couldn’t go on and on, it just didn’t make sense," she continued.

And during an interview at the British Film Institute, she worried aloud if the tale had been told. “I just think it's squeezing it dry, do you know what I mean?" she said.

Happily, though, Smith will be back and we’re already prepping ourselves for more of her drop-dead zingers.

News Round-Up: July 14, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• It's the weekend! Who wants to go for a ride with InstaHunk Joel Green?

• Scarlett Johansson has withdrawn from the upcoming film, Rub & Tug, after a backlash about the actress playing a transgender role in the movie. “I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues,” she said.

• There's going to be a Downton Abbey movie! Squeee! According to the BBC, the "original principal cast" will begin production later this summer, the film's producers said.

Welcome back to Downton! We’re thrilled to announce that #DowntonAbbey is coming to the big screen. Film production begins this summer. pic.twitter.com/3scMUmosic

— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) July 13, 2018

• Republican Illinois Gov. Rauner is getting flack from conservatives for having the nerve to officiate the same-sex wedding of longtime friends. #srsly

• 80s super group ABBA just finished recording their first new tracks since 1982 and says 'it was a fantastic experience.'

• From her upcoming album, Sweetener, Ariana Grande releases the female empowered music video for “God Is A Woman”, directed by Grammy Award®-winning director Dave Meyers.

The one-and-only Madonna offers a spoken-word cameo as 'God' along the way.

#divine.

The Late Show: "Downton Abbey" Without The Classy Accents

Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Downton Abbey stars Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville and Allen Leech perform a scene from the hit series using American accents with surprising results.

Something's just not quite the same...

Trailer: Final Season Of Downton Abbey

The sixth and final season of Downton Abbey will premiere on ITV September 20th, and so, there's a new appropriately melancholy trailer as the denizens of the estate prepare to head off in their separate directions.

I know it's really just a fancy soap opera, but I love it.

Here's hoping handsome, gay footman Thomas finds some kind of happiness before the finale.

"Downton Abbey" airs on PBS in the United States and the new season is scheduled to start on January 3, 2016.

Downton Abbey Returns Tomorrow Night On PBS

I'm obsessed with Downton Abbey. Can't wait for tomorrow night at 9PM.

Preview: Downton Abbey Season 5

Downton Abbey’s season 5 premieres in the U.S. January 5, 2015 on PBS.

Season Four of DOWNTON ABBEY begins tonight!

Last January, very late to the party I'll admit, I watched all three of the first seasons of DOWNTON ABBEY in a marathon while on flights to and from London. One episode and I understood what everyone was talking about.

The fourth season debuts tonight on PBS at 9EST/8CST. Seriously, catch up and don't miss the new episodes. So good; so well done.

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, free streaming video of all seasons/episodes is included in your membership. Even if no Prime account, you can download one or two episodes and see if you dig it by clicking here.

Or hit up iTunes and download here.

Watch an exclusive "preview scene" from tonight's premiere below:

Trailer: Season 4 of "Downton Abbey"

Yay! Can. Not. Wait.

When I discovered the series (late to the party I know) in January, I watched all three seasons' episodes within days. I just love this TV series.

(as much as you can love a TV series...)

Funny or Die: "Downton Diddy"

Downton Diddy from Sean Combs

I LOVE Downton Abbey. I watched one episode and then lost that weekend watching every episode in a marathon.

The show recently announced the addition of it's first black character. But P Diddy has proof he's been there the whole series.

As I hit play, I wasn't too sure about this new Funny or Die video, but it's really well done and made me laugh.

Diddy teased the video with this tweet: