'Downton Abbey' Writer Julian Fellowes Hints He Might Have To Quit

Is Downton's Creator About To Quit?

Julian Fellowes has hinted that he could quit writing 'Downton Abbey'.

The hit period drama's creator suggested in an interview that 'Downton' could continue without him if his US pilot 'The Gilded Age' takes off.

He told The New York Times: "If I'm doing a series at NBC, I would not be able to write all of 'Downton' and all of that series at the same time... If 'Downton'goes on - of course that's not my decision - then it would be with other writers. Perhaps with me supervising, but with other writers."

Julian Fellowes is a busy man

Asked if he could imagine 'Downton' continuing without him, he said: "I think it would be funny. But in life, you no sooner say 'Oh, I'd never do such and such' than you find yourself strapped into a chair, doing it.

"There's no point, really, in making pronouncements of absolutes. The only thing is, I know I would not be able to write 11 hours of 'Downton' and 10 hours of 'The Gilded Age', or whatever it is, side by side."

He added: "My own belief is that these things have a life. And one of the tricks is to recognise when it's time to come to an end. But we haven't made a decision when that will be. Some things go on for 20 years, don't they, but I just don't see Downton being one of them."

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