Downton Abbey: the clothing line is coming

Downton Abbey mania is still going strong, and the big bosses behind the period drama are hoping to cash in on it with a clothing line.

The show's executive producer, Gareth Naeme, has confirmed that NBC Universal, the US network which acquired the British television show's production company, Carnival Films, will launch an expansive line of Downton-related products later this year.

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"We'll be working across an entire range of products coming out this year. From fashion, apparel and homeware and furniture to wallpapers, beauty products and stationary," Naeme told CNB an in interview picked up by Vanity Fair .

NBC extensively merchandises both of its classic shows, such as Friends and Star Trek , as well as current programmes 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live , via its official e-store, something which is rarely done with successful shows in the UK. It is not yet known whether the range will be available to buy in the UK, but there will no doubt be demand from British fans.

Naeme also explained why the network has waited until three seasons into the drama before launching official merchandise. "It's very rare for a British drama to have this much retail potential and merchandising value," he said. "No one wants to launch products if the show's going to be a flop."

So, soon you may be able to slip on your drop-waist Lady Mary-style dress, relax in Lord Grantham's chair, sip tea from a Downtown Abbey -approved bone china tea cup and coat your lashes with petroleum jelly and coal mascara, which you'll have to hastily reapply after writing a particularly heartfelt letter on Crawley-crested writing paper.

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