'It is just luck': Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes says there's no science behind the show's success as he reveals he would 'certainly' write movie adaptation 

By Rebecca Davison for MailOnline

Published: 10:10 EST, 2 March 2016 | Updated: 09:04 EST, 3 March 2016

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes appeared on This Morning on Wednesday to talk about his latest projects and revealed he has 'no idea' why the period drama was so successful.

Talking to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, he said: 'We were lucky to have a hit. No one knows why. There's no science behind it. It's luck. One hopes for luck, but you cannot expect it.'

The acclaimed writer also confirmed that negotiations for a Downton movie are taking place, following rumours that the show could be adapted for cinema screens. 

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Honest: Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes appeared on This Morning on Wednesday to talk about his latest projects and revealed he has 'no idea' why the period drama was so successful

Honest: Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes appeared on This Morning on Wednesday to talk about his latest projects and revealed he has 'no idea' why the period drama was so successful

Lucky: Talking to the show's hosts, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, he said: 'We were lucky to have a hit. No one knows why'

Lucky: Talking to the show's hosts, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, he said: 'We were lucky to have a hit. No one knows why'

Admitting that he would 'certainly' be happy to write it, he said the movie is a 'possibility.'

'They would need to get all their ducks in a row,' he said. 'You need a certain number of the cast to get onboard or it's not feasible. That's not my job.

'The movie would be able to deal with things in another way. So you would you have a full crowd or a boardroom full of people.' 

More to come: The acclaimed writer also confirmed that negotiations for a Downton movie are taking place, following rumours that the show could be adapted for cinema screens

More to come: The acclaimed writer also confirmed that negotiations for a Downton movie are taking place, following rumours that the show could be adapted for cinema screens

And while he admits there could also be a Downton musical one day, he said TV is a no go. 

'Television is done and won't be revisited,' he said. 

Julian's latest work is Doctor Thorne, a three-part drama for ITV which has been adapted from Anthony Trollope's novel. 

'It's a charming love story for spring and really deals with social disruption. People coming up and people coming down. I love Trollope's writing.'

But he denied that the show could take on Downton's success and go on for years in the same way. 

'No,' he said. 'It's one completed story.'

Busy: Julian's latest work is Doctor Thorne, a three-part drama for ITV which has been adapted from Anthony Trollope's novel

Busy: Julian's latest work is Doctor Thorne, a three-part drama for ITV which has been adapted from Anthony Trollope's novel

 

 

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