In the first trailer for “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” sharp eyed fans will notice the absence of Matthew Goode as Lady Mary’s second husband. He seems to have been replaced or substituted for with Hugh Dancy, who’s getting a lot of work these days (he’s a regular on the “Law & Order” revival). Good for him but bad for Goode, who only made a brief appearance in the first “Downton” movie. (He may do it again since Goode was obviously too busy playing Robert Evans in the “Godfather” mini series, “The Offer.”)

“A New Era” looks like a middle film in a trilogy, so it’s not over. Violet (Maggie Smith) didn’t die from cancer after all, but announces that she inherited a villa in the South of France. This gives everyone a chance for a trip to a sunny, warm locale away from Downton. But Mary stays behind to watch over a film crew making a talking picture on location.

It seems like Branson finally marries, securing the Downton fortune for good. But the family trip suggests that Violet inherited the villa because what? One of her children was fathered by its owner? She used 23 & Me? Or talked to Henry Louis Gates on PBS?

Anyway, this won’t be the last “Downton” movie If it just makes $75 million and does well on Peacock, there will be a concluding chapter. Everyone involved will deny it. There will be huffy British protestations. And then, viola, one last chapter with teenage kids facing the stock market crash and Great Depression.

But not yet!

PS Julian Fellowes’ “The Gilded Age” has been renewed by HBO for a second season. Last night’s fourth episode seemed like an improvement on the clunkiness of the opening chapters. The lighting is still harshly networky, some of the actors’ cadences are enough to kill you, and the opening music and montage look like they’re from “Dynasty.” But progress is there. I love the story of Peggy Scott nd her family. That’s a winner. And it’s nice to see Kelli O’Hara, a Broadway giant, finally having a non singing onscreen hit. But if she even hums, all those people are going to lose their minds. same for Audra McDonald. Then what?

more on Ivan Reitman here

Director Ivan Reitman has died at age 75. It’s a shock and very sad news. Ivan was a hugely popular member of the film world as a director, a producer and father of Jason Reitman, whose “Up in the Air” he produced.

The reports say Reitman died in his sleep at his home in Montecito, California. But the Reitmans are from Toronto, and were well known property holders there and much respected.

“Ghostbusters” was the most famous movie he directed and produced, and of course, it became an institution. The new version directed by Jason, has been a hit for months. Reitman also directed one of the great satires of all time, “Dave,” as well as hits starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Murray. Ivan co-produced “Animal House,” the landmark 1978 comedy starring John Belushi and a group of actor who would go on to fame and fortune.

The Reitman family is legendary in Toronto. Ivan’s father and mother survived the Holocaust in Hungary. His mother was in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Reitman was born in 1946 and the fmaily and emigrated to Canada in 1950 as refugees. Ivan’s father bought a car wash downtown and adjoining land. That is now where the Bell Lightbox sits as the cornerstone of the Toronto Film Festival. In 201o, the block where the Lightbox stands was renamed Reitman Square.

Ivan Reitman was a wonderful guy, talented director, and great family man. He was a pleasure to know for everyone in show business. My condolences to his devoted family.

“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,” children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement. “We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”