Julian Fellowes Filmography Overview
Julian Fellowes is a British screenwriter, director, and producer known for a mix of period dramas and contemporary films. His work spans feature films, television series, and stage projects, often combining historical detail with ensemble storytelling. He is best known as the creator and writer of the globally popular ITV and PBS series Downton Abbey, which ran from 2010 to 2015 and spawned multiple feature films and a prequel series. Fellowes also wrote and directed the 2022 film The Gilded Age for HBO, a drama set in 1880s New York that explores the clash between old money and new wealth. His films frequently feature large casts, meticulous production design, and a focus on social hierarchy and class dynamics. The Gilded Age was renewed for a second season, continuing its exploration of high society and the transformation of American culture during the Gilded Age era. HBO's The Gilded Age official page provides details on the series structure and creative team.
Fellowes' directorial debut in feature films was the 2004 period drama Vanity Fair, a satirical adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel set in the early 19th century. The film starred Reese Witherspoon, James Purefoy, and Jim Broadbent, and was noted for its witty screenplay and visual style. He later wrote the screenplay for the 2019 film The Aeronauts, a period adventure drama about a balloonist and a meteorologist attempting a record-breaking flight in 1862. The Aeronauts starred Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones and was produced by Netflix as a feature film release. Fellowes also wrote the screenplay for the 2022 film The Outfit, a thriller set in 1940s Chicago about a British tailor whose shop becomes entangled with organized crime. The film starred Mark Rylance and was distributed by Focus Features. These projects illustrate Fellowes' range across genres, from historical satire to period thrillers.
Major Julian Fellowes Films and Television Projects
Downton Abbey remains Fellowes' most commercially successful project, with the original series running for six seasons and two feature films. The first Downton Abbey film was released in 2019, followed by Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022. Both films were distributed by Universal Pictures and grossed over $190 million worldwide combined. The series won multiple Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, establishing Fellowes as a leading figure in prestige television. Fellowes also created and wrote the ITV series Belgravia, a limited drama set in the 1810s and 1840s that aired in 2020. The series was based on his novel of the same name and explored the lives of characters connected to the Battle of Waterloo. Julian Fellowes' IMDb profile provides a comprehensive list of his film and television credits.
In television, Fellowes created the ITV series The Gilded Age, which premiered in 2022 and was renewed for a second season. The series is set in the 1880s and follows the conflict between the established van Rhijn family and the newly wealthy Russell family in New York City. Fellowes serves as writer and executive producer, with production handled by NBCUniversal and Carnival Films. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2024 film Young Sherlock, a reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes origin story set in the 1860s. The film is produced by Apple Original Films and directed by Guy Ritchie, with Fellowes contributing to the script.