Julian Fellowes

Julian Fellowes, actor, writer, director, producer, was educated at Ampleforth, Magdalene College, Cambridge, and Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He trained in repertory theatre at Northampton and Harrogate. As creator, sole writer and executive producer of the hit television series DOWNTON ABBEY, Fellowes has been nominated for eight Emmy Awards. He received Emmy Awards for writing and Outstanding Miniseries or Movie in the first season. Fellowes received the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for GOSFORD PARK (2002), his first produced film. His work was also honored by the Writer's Guild of America, The New York Film Critics' Circle, and the National Society of Film Critics for Best Screenplay. Other writing credits for film include PICCADILLY JIM (2004), VANITY FAIR (2004), YOUNG VICTORIA (2009), THE TOURIST (2010), ROMEO & JULIET (2013), and for television the four-hour mini-series TITANIC (2012), and the upcoming three-part drama DOCTOR THORNE, both for ITV. In 2005, Fellowes made his directorial debut with SEPARATE LIES, and received the Best Directorial Debut award from the National Board of Review. His second feature as both writer and director was FROM TIME TO TIME, starring Maggie Smith, which won Best Picture at the Chicago Children's Film Festival and the Fiuggi Family Festival in Rome. Fellowes wrote the book for the Tony-nominated stage production of MARY POPPINS, which ran for three years in London and was a hit on Broadway for more than six years. He has recently written the book for SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL, which opened on Broadway in December 2015, and is written and produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Fellowes has authored two novels: the international bestsellers SNOBS (2005) and PAST IMPERFECT (2008/2009), and the children's book THE CURIOUS ADVENTURES OF THE ABANDONED TOYS (2007). He is married to Emma, nee Kitchener, and they have one son, Peregrine. Julian Fellowes became a life peer in 2010.