Loch Down Abbey, a Downton Abbey-Inspired Quarantine Novel to Become a TV Series
A sequel to the Downton Abbey movie is slated to arrive this Christmas, and fans will be encouraged to hear that production is already underway. But it's unknown if the Crawley family's story will continue beyond this second film.
Fortunately for lovers of early 20th-century period dramas set in stately British homes, Downton Abbey isn't the only game around. Loch Down Abbey, a humorous novel by Beth Cowan-Erskine, which has been described as "Downton Abbey meets locked-room mystery," and is now being adapted into a TV series.
Cowan-Erskine crafted and published the story during the coronavirus pandemic, and writing during quarantine clearly impacted her work. "It's the 1930s and a mysterious illness is spreading over Scotland. But the noble and ancient family of Inverkillen, residents of Loch Down Abbey, are much more concerned with dwindling toilet roll supplies and who will look after the children now that Nanny has regretfully (and most inconveniently) departed this life," reads a description of the text.
"Then Lord Inverkillen, Earl and head of the family, is found dead in mysterious circumstances. The inspector declares it an accident but Mrs MacBain, the head housekeeper, isn't so convinced."
What ensues is an Agatha Christie-esque mystery, where no one's allowed in or out of the house due to the sickness, and long-buried secrets come to light.
The book was only published in April, but it's already being developed into a TV series by Gigi Pritzker and Madison Wells Media. “We have thought about how to capture what has happened to us all in the last year and Beth has found a way through wit and empathy,” Pritzker said. “It was immediately evident that this incredibly witty book should be turned into a fun and entertaining television series that audiences will love. Beth is such an impressive writer, and person, and we are confident her book will capture a loyal and devoted fanbase. We cannot wait to read the sequel.”
No word yet on a production schedule or when we might expect to see the story hit screens, but we'll be sure to update this post as soon as we know more. In the meantime, Cowan-Erskine is already working on the Loch Down Abbey sequel.
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