Julian Fellowesis a British actor, writer, and director who excels at costume dramas. His journey in the entertainment industry began with acting, but his transition to writing truly revealed his strengths. He gained attention for penning the Oscar-winningGosford Park, which he followed with a string of period dramas. Fellowes then produced his most popular work of all with the TV showDownton Abbey,a global hit.
Like many successful writers,Fellowes has very much found his niche—in this case, deeply British period pieces with snappy dialogue.His work often explores the complexities of British aristocracy, in particular, blending drama with keen social commentary. He’s clearly well-schooled in history and mines different time periods for drama. Plus, he’s got a remarkable ability for ensemble storytelling, keeping multiple narrative threads going at once. Here are all of his period drama films, ranked.
10’Piccadilly Jim' (2004)
Directed by John McKay
“We’re dancing awfully close.“Piccadilly Jimis a whimsical comedy set in the 1930s, following the misadventures of Jim Crocker (Sam Rockwell), an American cartoonist living in London. He’s famous for his wild lifestyle and cheeky cartoons that satirize high society, much to the dismay of his wealthy family. But Jim’s carefree existence is turned upside down when he falls for Ann Chester (Frances O’Connor), who despises him due to his cartoon’s mockery of her family.
The movie was adapted from a novel byP.G. Wodehouse, and the source material is a good fit for Fellowes’s writing style.It’s at its best when it’s just being farcical, serving up exaggerated characters and madcap antics.The story is a bit messy and, at times, lackluster, but the gorgeous costumes and sets do a lot to compensate. Plus, Rockwell is always a treat to watch, even when a film doesn’t give him all that much to work with.
9’Romeo & Juliet' (2013)
Directed by Carlo Carlei
“When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars.” Fellowes also wrote the screenplay for this adaptation ofthe Bard’s most famous play, though it controversially jettisoned almost all of the original dialogue.Hailee SteinfeldandDouglas Boothtake on the roles of the star-crossed lovers from long-feuding families.Damian Lewis,Natascha McElhone,Stellan Skarsgård, andLesley Manvillejoin them in supporting roles.
This project had potential but the end result is a decidedly mixed bag.The sets and costumes are enchanting, as one would expect, but for some reason, the movie is never as immersive as it clearly aims to be. Plus, the more modern elements and fresh dialogue are either compelling or sacrilegious, depending on the viewer. The leads are good, bringing a nice blend of innocence and maturity to the characters, but, overall, it’s hard to see whatRomeo & Julietadds to the conversation, given how many cinematic adaptations of this tale there already are.
Romeo and Juliet
8’Vanity Fair' (2003)
Directed by Mira Nair
“Revenge may be wicked, but it’s perfectly natural.“Reese Witherspoonleads the cast of this one as Becky Sharp, a determined and cunning orphan who uses her wit and charm to ascend the rigid social ladder of early 19th-century England. However, her pursuit of wealth and status comes at a moral cost. Through Becky’s eyes, the viewer is introduced to a cast of colorful characters, including the naïve aristocrat Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai) and the dashing but morally ambiguous Rawdon Crawley (James Purefoy).
Once again, Fellowes adapted this screenplay from a classic novel, but some critics found thatVanity Fairwatered down the source material too much, smoothing out its sharp edges. Indeed,the movie isn’t as mean, messy, and hard-edged as the book, which disappointed a lot of fans.Witherspoon succeeds in making Becky a likable protagonist, but the film as a whole winds up being a little too one-note and milquetoast.
Vanity Fair
7’Crooked House' (2017)
Directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner
“What’s wrong with people in this house?“Crooked Houseis Fellowes’s take on an Agatha Christie novel. Set in postwar England, the story centers on Charles Hayward (Max Irons), a private detective who is called to investigate the death of wealthy patriarch Aristide Leonides. As he delves into the case, he discovers a web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives, with every member of the household harboring a potential reason for murder.
Fellowes’s script ably channels the charms of the novel, but some tepid direction weighs the film down.On the positive side, the performances are solid, especially fromGlenn Close, Terence Stamp, andChristina Hendricks. Unfortunately,Crooked Housemay succeed a little too well in its Christie tribute. It winds up being the kind of movie that is sure to please the author’s fans without necessarily appealing too much to general audiences. It’s well-made but nothing the viewer hasn’t seen before.
Crooked House
6’The Chaperone' (2018)
Directed by Michael Engler
“Art is not tinsel. Art is gold. And it must be handled by the worthy.” Set in the early 1920s,The Chaperonefocuses on Norma Carlisle (Elizabeth McGovern), a conservative Kansas housewife who volunteers to chaperone the young and rebelliousLouise Brooks(Haley Lu Richardson) on a trip to New York City where she intends to study at a prestigious dance school. Norma’s journey becomes one of personal awakening as she is exposed to the liberating energy of the city and Louise’s free spirit.
The stars do a lot of heavy lifting here. Richardson, in particular,excels at playing this kind of character. The film also benefits from the fact that it is inspired by truth: Louise Brooks would go on to become a silent film star in real life.Most of all,The Chaperonewill be a treat for those interested in period fashion.It goes all out with its meticulous costumes, featuring an abundance of late Edwardian outfits and flapper-style dresses.
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5’From Time to Time' (2009)
Directed by Julian Fellowes
“The truth is, my dear, we are not well met.” In the latter years of World War II, 13-year-old Tolly (Alex Etel) is sent to stay with his grandmother, Mrs. Oldknow (Maggie Smith) in her ancient and eerie manor. As he explores the manor, Tolly discovers he has the ability to travel back in time and interact with the house’s past inhabitants. Through these supernatural encounters, he unravels long-hidden family secrets about a terrible fire and stolen jewels.
From Time to Timebears many of Fellowes’s hallmarks, like an atmospheric setting and a cast studded with British stars (Timothy Spall,Hugh Bonneville, andDominic Westalso appear), but it stands out by being aimed at children and for featuring fantasy elements.It crams a lot of whimsy into its 93-minute runtimeand is sure to appeal to kids who like this kind of material. Adults, however, may find the magical elements a little too hard to swallow.
4’Downton Abbey: A New Era' (2022)
Directed by Simon Curtis
“Don’t steer me. I’m not a racing car.” Fellowes’s most popular creation by far is the TV series Downton Abbey, which drew in massive viewerships in the late 2010s. It concluded in 2015 but was followed by two spin-off films, with a third reportedly in development.A New Erawas the second movie installment, focusing on the characters as they transition into the 1930s. In particular, Downton’s routines are disrupted by the arrival of a film crew, while the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) receives a mysterious letter.
The film is just as exaggerated, whimsical, and charming as the original show, hitting all the notes that fans would expect. Once again, this means that it’s terrific fan service for Downton Abbey diehards but a little inaccessible for newcomers. Fundamentally,the movie is cozy popcorn entertainment, handled with style and a hefty dose of sentimentality.Sometimes it verges on the saccharine but, overall, is a treat to watch.
Downton Abbey: A New Era
3’The Young Victoria' (2009)
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée
“Do you ever feel like a chess piece yourself?” This sumptuous biopic chronicles the early life and reign ofQueen Victoria(Emily Blunt), who ruled between 1837 and 1901. The focus is on her ascension to the throne at the tender age of 18, her early struggles with political machinations and courtly expectations, and her passionate romance withPrince Albert(Rupert Friend).
Blunt is fantastic in the part, aided by the likes ofPaul Bettany,Miranda Richardson, andJim Broadbentin the supporting cast (the latter has a scene-stealing drunken tirade at a royal banquet).Overall,The Young Victoriamakes for a light and frothy romantic drama rather than a dry history lesson.It aims to entertain, not educate. Those looking to better understand this influential monarch should rather pick up a biographical book, but fans of royal romance will be charmed. Royal intrigue is at a premium here, as is exquisite art direction and production design.
The Young Victoria
2’Downton Abbey' (2019)
“You’ll be the frightening old lady keeping everyone up to the mark.” The first Downton Abbey spin-off movie sees the Crawley family and their loyal servants thrust into a flurry of excitement and preparation when they receive news of a royal visit fromKing George VandQueen Mary. The impending visit tests the household’s ability to maintain their customary standards of service and hospitality, leading to a series of comedic and dramatic events.
Fellowes adeptly juggles multiple storylines; each of them is satisfying and none feels underdeveloped. The plots are engaging, and the script crackles with wit. There are many quotable lines to be found here. Plus, Fellowes keeps everything frothy and fundamentally uplifting, despite some tense elements like an assassination plot. Some viewers may find the low-stakes story a little boring, but this is precisely what fans will like about it. Beautifully shot and lavishly staged,Down Abbeyis escapist fare of the highest order.
1’Gosford Park' (2001)
Directed by Robert Altman
“I’m the perfect servant; I have no life.” Fellowes’s finest project as a screenwriter is this drama set in 1930s England. Gosford Parktakes place over a weekend shooting party at an opulent estate, where a murder occurs, throwing both guests and servants into disarray. Soon, hidden tensions and long-simmering resentments between the aristocrats and their servants start to boil over.
This is essentially a proto-Downton Abbeywith shades of Agatha Christie thrown in.It’s elevated by the contributions from directorRobert Altman, the brains behind classicslikeNashvilleandThe Player. Here, he flexes his talent for managing ensemble casts. He draws great work from these performers, crafting several acerbic and humorous scenes. They poke fun at British class tensions without letting up on the narrative tension. Finally, technical mastery holds it all together, especially when it comes to the cinematographer. There are impressive camera moves aplenty, including glides and extended long shots. It’s a terrific movie and one still well worth watching, particularly forDownton Abbeyfans.
