'The real Downton Abbey' prepares for movie spotlight Highclere Castle, which is used as the setting for the TV series Downton Abbey, is bracing for a fresh wave of publicity ahead of the release of the Downton Abbey film in cinemas. Lady Carnarvon says she’s ‘bound to cry’ when she sees her home on the big screen, while some attendees of a 1920s themed afternoon ahead of the movie’s release came from as far afield as France and China especially to see the setting of their favourite series.