A new era of ‘Downton Abbey’ is set to open Friday

Above : “Downton Abbey: A New Era” opens Friday. (Photo/Focus Features)

Like other series about upper-crust British life that preceded it, the BBC’s popular “Downton Abbey” has attracted lots of viewers – on both sides of the Atlantic.

The series, which ran originally for six seasons beginning in 2010 (2011 in the U.S.), is set between the years 1912 and 1926. It tells the story of the Crawley family and their domestic help.

It was the latest incarnation of social-class themes explored by series such as “The Forsyte Saga” (based on the John Galsworthy novels, which aired originally in 1967) and “Upstairs Downstairs” (which aired originally between the years 1971-75).

The latest addition to the “Downton Abbey” series is “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” a stand-alone film that opens in theaters on Friday.

The film, directed by Simon Curtis and written by series creator Julian Fellowes, returns the main cast – headlined by Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery and Maggie Smith (as the cranky Dowager Countess of Grantham).

Set in 1929, the film tells the story of the Dowager (again portrayed by Smith) having inherited a villa in Italy. Some of the family head to Italy to check out the property, while others remain at the family estate – which is to be the site of a feature film production.

David Sexton of The New Statesman wrote, “The great allure of the ‘Downton’ sequel is, once again, Maggie Smith… When, watching the film-within-the-film being made, she says ‘I’d rather earn my living down a mine,’ you can only believe her.”

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly wrote, “ ‘A New Era’ is strictly high-toned formula, from its God’s-eye opening over spire-tipped turrets and green-velvet lawns to its soft-focus finish, but it feels like home.”

Anna Smith of Deadline Hollywood Daily wrote, “More poignant moments tug at the heartstrings effectively, and are swiftly followed by smiles: This is a film designed to cheer people up.”

And who doesn’t need a bit of cheering up these days?