'Downton Abbey' set for cinemas

'Downton Abbey' could be making a move to the big screen.

Following the success of the ITV1 period drama at Sunday's Golden Globes, series creator Julian Fellowes - who won the Best Screenplay Oscar in 2001 for his movie 'Gosford Park' - is said to have been "virtually mobbed" by actors and Hollywood bosses desperate to know whether a feature film version of the show is on the cards.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Julian was chatting with various film directors and movie executives about the show and the possibility it would make a fantastic feature film. Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep were also seen chatting and congratulating him.

"They were all chatting about how much of a success the film version would be. Julian was explaining he would have to give the idea a lot of thought and that lots of people have already asked him about film rights."

It is thought that if 'Downton' does make a move to the big screen, the movie would deal with a single big event that engulfs the characters, rather than detracting from the ongoing dramas in the TV series.

US actress Elizabeth McGovern - who plays the aristocratic Countess of Downton in the ITV1 show - recently admitted American people love the "drama and intrigue" associated with British period dramas.

She said: "I think they love the drama and the intrigue, and they also love the solidity of the life - that you're free of mobile phones and twitter."

'Downton Abbey' will return to screens for a third series later this year.