New York – The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will present the 2015 International Emmy Founders Award to Julian Fellowes, the writer and creator of Downton Abbey, one of the most acclaimed, widely watched and best reviewed television series in the history of the medium. Academy President & CEO, Bruce L. Paisner, announced that Fellowes will accept the Award at the 43rd International Emmy(r) Awards Gala, on November 23 in New York City.
An Oscar-winning screenwriter, Julian Fellowes began his career as an actor. He grew up in England, attended Cambridge University, then drama school and worked on stage with several repertory companies. He subsequently appeared in over 40 films and TV shows, while at the same time writing screenplays for such movies as Vanity Fair, Separate Lies- and Gosford Park-for which he took home an Oscar. He is also responsible for writing international bestseller, Snobs. Fellowes turned this passion for writing into a second career.
“People everywhere know, follow and are passionate about Downton Abbey, and the Academy is thrilled to honor its writer and creator Julian Fellowes,” said Paisner. “Julian has brought a career’s worth of experience and ideas to this landmark television series and we look forwarding to welcoming him and members of the Downton Abbey cast at our Gala.”
Julian Fellowes commented, “This is an extraordinary honour, both for me and for the Downton team and I can only say that I feel simultaneously unworthy and very, very grateful. It is a significant high point of my career. Thank you.”
Set in an Edwardian country house in the early 20th Century, Downton Abbey portrays the lives of the Crawley family who own the house and the servants who work for them. Winner of over 40 national and international awards, Downton Abbey’s notable accolades include Best Mini-Series at the Golden Globe Awards, Best Ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Outstanding Mini-Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards. The show has even made it in to the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest critical review ratings for a TV show. Fellowes other recent television writing credits include Titanic and The Young Victoria.
Julian Fellowes is also set to write a new series, The Gilded Age, a sweeping fictional epic of the millionaire titans of New York City in the 1880s for NBCUniversal. Carnival Films, a British subsidiary of NBCUniversal International Television Production produces Downton Abbey.
