Great Houses With Julian Fellowes

Cue the Downton Abbey Theme: A Chat with Julian Fellowes About Great Houses

Imagine sipping tea in the grand drawing room of Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey. That's the kind of access Julian Fellowes, the creator of the beloved period drama, can give you. But don't worry, you won't need a title or a stiff upper lip to enjoy his insights. Fellowes is as charming and approachable as his characters are fascinating.

From Page to Screen: A Masterclass in Storytelling

Fellowes, an acclaimed writer and director, knows a thing or two about bringing history to life. His secret? "Find the human story," he says. "History is just a backdrop. It's the people who make it interesting." That's why, even in the opulent world of Downton, it's the Crawleys' family dynamics and the servants' intrigues that keep us hooked.

His latest project, The English Game, is no different. Set in the late 19th century, it explores the origins of football in England, but it's the power struggles, class conflicts, and forbidden romances that truly captivate.

Great Houses: More Than Just Bricks and Mortar

Fellowes has a soft spot for grand estates. "They're like characters themselves," he muses. "Each has its own personality, its own story to tell." He should know. He's been in and out of them all his life, thanks to his family's history and his work.

Highclere Castle, for instance, is more than just the set of Downton. It's the real-life home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Fellowes remembers it fondly: "It's a beautiful house, but it's also a family home. You can feel the history, but it's not stuffy."

His favorite? Blenheim Palace. "It's vast, it's grand, it's got a story that's as dramatic as any soap opera. And it's open to the public, which is wonderful." His tip? "Go in the off-season. You'll have the place to yourself, and the guides are fantastic."

History Lessons: Julian Fellowes' Top Picks

Fellowes is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to history. His top pick for a historical figure to have dinner with? "Catherine the Great. She was a fascinating woman, a great reformer, and she had a fantastic sense of humor."

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His favorite historical event? "The French Revolution. It's the ultimate example of how quickly things can change. It's a reminder that we should never take our freedoms for granted."

Julian Fellowes: The Man Behind the Curtain

But what about Fellowes himself? What does he do when he's not writing or directing? "I love to cook," he reveals. "I find it very relaxing. And I love to read, of course. I'm a bit of a bookworm."

His advice for aspiring writers? "Read widely, write every day, and don't be afraid to rewrite. And remember, it's not about being the best writer in the world. It's about telling a good story."

History in Our Hands

As we wrap up our chat, Fellowes leaves us with a thought-provoking reflection. "History is all around us. It's not just in books or on TV. It's in the buildings we live in, the streets we walk down, the traditions we follow. We just need to look a little closer, listen a little harder."

So, the next time you're walking down the street, imagine the stories those buildings could tell. You never know, you might just find your own Downton Abbey right around the corner.