The future of "Downton Abbey" seems bleak after PBS declined to comment on the show's future, leading many to wonder if the show's sixth season is going to end up being its last, Deadline reported.
PBCS Chief Paula Kerger was approached during the Winter TV Press Tour 2015, and when asked about what the future has in store for the show and its cast, she said that for now, she is focusing on the coming sixth season.
"We are not going beyond that yet," she was quoted as saying. However, she did mention PBS preferred dealing with shows one year at a time and even said that the show was originally set for only three seasons.
The rumors of the show ending escalated more following the announcement by the chairman of NBC Robert Greenblatt about their long-awaited period drama "The Gilded Age," according to Vanity Fair.
"The Gilded Age," said to be an American version of "Downton Abbey," features the members of New York's high society during the 19th century. It was put on hold after the success of "Downton Abbey," but Greenblatt announced that they were finally proceeding as planned under Julian Fellowes, the writer known as the brains behind every episode of "Downton Abbey," the report continued.
According to Deadline, Greenblatt also announced that "The Gilded Age" is being put at the forefront as the company's priority show, which could mean Fellowes' future with "Downton Abbey" will have to be put on hold.
"I think he's at a point now where he's able to start developing and writing our new show," the chairman said, as quoted by Deadline. "Hopefully this show will be coming to life sometime in the next season," he added.
On the other hand, Kerger mentioned that she felt that Fellowes' work on "Downton Abbey" wasn't going to be affected by other writing projects, according to Deadline. It remains to be seen which of the network heads are right.
While neither Kerger nor Greenblatt explicitly stated that the show was ending, many are remembering Fellowes' statement about taking on two shows at once.
During an interview with Telegraph earlier this month, the writer was asked about working on "The Gilded Age," and said, "It will happen when Downton finishes, because I just couldn't do both at once."
"Yes. I don't know yet if there is a season six, but it's not going to go on forever. It won't be Perry Mason," Fellowes even said.
"Downton Abbey" is the most-watched show on PBS, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While an end to the show will no doubt be bittersweet, the show has still seen much success during its long run. It wouldn't be too bad for the show to end at a high note instead of running the risk of prolonging it too much.
