Julian Fellowes Talks 'Titanic' Vs. 'Downton Abbey'

By now we've probably all heard about the new Titanic mini series, by Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes. The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Fellowes about his new show, his Titanic obsession, including  it's relationship to Downton Abbey. Here's an excerpt:

The Hollywood Reporter: Downton Abbey begins with the sinking of the Titanic. Now, you’ve made a mini-series about it. Would you say you’re obsessed with Titanic?

Julian Fellowes: I think I may be a bit obsessed with Titanic. But I used it in Downton Abbey for a different reason. By using something iconic, you don’t need to explain as much. Very few people can’t place the approximate time period of the Titanic sinking. It’s really a cheat. It’s a piece of shorthand so that you don’t need references to other parts of history. But yes, I am very interested in Titanic.

THR: Titanic deals with the relationships between the different classes of people in society. Is Titanic Downton Abbey on a boat?

Fellowes: People want it to be, but it’s more complicated than that. Titanic isn’t just about people and their servants. It’s about all of these people from different worlds coming together on one ship. My theory on disaster, though it’s a bit nanny, is that disaster brings out the best of you.

Read more over at The Hollywood Reporter. 

The use of the Titanic disaster at the beginning of Downton Abbey was pure genius in my opinion!  I think bringing in that element of realism has made the whole series seem so real life.