Downtown Abbey Creator Julian Fellowes to Examine the Lives of 19th Century New York Millionaires in NBC Series

Julian Fellowes, the creator of the Emmy-winning British drama Downtown Abbey and book writer of Broadway's Mary Poppins, has signed a deal to write and produce a New York-set period series for NBC, according to Deadline.com. Titled The Gilded Age, the series will chronicle the lives of New York aristocracy in the 1880s. No casting for the pilot has been announced at this time.

“This was a vivid time with dizzying, brilliant ascents and calamitous falls, of record-breaking ostentation and savage rivalry; a time when money was king,” Fellowes said in a statement.

In addition to the potential new series Fellowes will continue to serve as the writer and executive producer of Downtown Abbey, which was recently picked up for a fourth season. Fellowes was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for the book of Mary Poppins, and won an Oscar in 2001 for his screenplay of Gosford Park. His other films include Vanity Fair, The Tourist and the upcoming Romeo and Juliet remake. Fellowes also wrote the four-part Titanic miniseries that aired earlier this year.