Phenomenally successful British drama series to receive Award at star-studded BAFTA Tribute event in August
Tribute to be filmed for broadcast later this year as a BAFTA-ITV Studios coproduction for ITV
London, 12 June 2015: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced today that Downton Abbey, Carnival Films’ award-winning drama for ITV, will be the subject of a BAFTA Tribute and honoured with a Special Award on Tuesday 11 August.
Members of the cast and crew of Downton Abbey will attend the BAFTA Tribute to help celebrate the outstanding global success of the programme. The Award will be presented in front of a live audience. The event will be filmed and coproduced by BAFTA and ITV Studios for broadcast on ITV later this year.
Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “I am delighted that BAFTA is paying tribute to Downton Abbey, an extraordinary series that has flown the flag for British drama since 2010. Our tribute will take us backstage with the cast and crew to reveal what’s made it both a national treasure and a global phenomenon.”
Gareth Neame, Executive Producer of Downton Abbey and Managing Director Carnival Films, said: “As Downton Abbey moves towards its conclusion with the final season this autumn, I speak for the entire cast and crew when I say how honoured we are that the Academy will recognise the show with this Special Award. Not only is Downton a much-loved show in Britain, it has had huge success in both the U.S. and right around the world, waving the flag for Britain and our creative content and that's why the BAFTA recognition means so much to us all.”
Peter Fincham, ITV’s Director of Television, said: "When we commissioned Downton Abbey six years ago, little did we know it would go on become the phenomenon it is today, not only loved by our ITV viewers, but also by countless others around the world. I am delighted for everyone at Carnival films and the entire team involved in the production, that they will be honoured by BAFTA with this Tribute and Special Award."
Further details will be announced in due course.
Carnival Films is part of NBCUniversal International Studios.
Update: BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey will be broadcast on ITV on 21 December at 21.00.
For further information, please contact:
Nick Williams / Jess Lenten at BAFTA
T 020 7292 5847 / 020 7292 5863
E [email protected] / [email protected]
Una Maguire at Milk Publicity
T 020 7520 1087
E [email protected]
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – featuring workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes – in the UK, USA and Asia; it offers unique access to the world’s most inspiring talent and connects with a global audience of all ages and backgrounds. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. To access the best creative minds in film, television and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
