'Downton Abbey' series two confirmed for September premiere

Downton Abbey will return later this month, ITV has confirmed.



The award-winning drama will once again air after The X Factor during the autumn months.

The Julian Fellowes show, which stars Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville, begins its eight-part second series on Sunday, September 18 at 9pm.

Downton Abbey's seven-part first series averaged 8.8m viewers last autumn.

Series two of the period piece, which will conclude with a Christmas special, will explore the lives of the Crawley family during the First World War.

Executive producer Gareth Neame recently predicted that Downton Abbey can last for six series.