As series two of Downton Abbey drew to a close, ITV announced that it had commissioned eight new episodes of the Julian Fellowes-scripted drama.

Series two has been a huge success for ITV1, with ratings up more than 20% on series one at 11.5 million per episode. Those figures make it the most popular drama series on UK TV for over 10 years.

The new series (again produced by Carnival Films) will be set in 1920/1921, 8 years after the first series and following on from the WW1/Spanish flu era covered by the second series.

Commenting on the show, ITV”s Director of Drama Commissioning Laura Mackie and Controller of Drama Commissioning Sally Haynes said: “We”re delighted to be bringing Downton Abbey back for a third series, as we follow the inhabitants of Downton as they move into the Roaring 20s.  It”s rare to find a drama that the audience connects with so strongly and we”re extremely proud to have commissioned a series that has become such a phenomenon.”

Carnival”s Managing Director Gareth Neame responded: “Downton Abbey has become a huge hit worldwide, sold to over 200 territories and with accolades such as 6 Primetime Emmys and The Guinness World Record. Julian has created a fantastic ensemble of characters, with a myriad of stories which are dramatic, romantic and comedic all centred around the environment of Downton.”

The third series will be written by Fellowes who, along with Neame, is an executive producer. Liz Trubridge will produce the series for a third time.