'Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes Creating Period Drama for NBC

'The Gilded Age' to depict millionaire titans in 1880s New York

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/27/2012 1:49:10 PM

NBC has made a deal with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes to write and produce a period drama for the network, it was announced Tuesday.

The Gilded Age, to be produced by Universal Television, will depict the world of the millionaire titans of the American Renaissance in New York in the 1880s.

"We at the network are all so thrilled to be working with the immensely talented Julian Fellowes, who is universally admired for his critically and commercially appealing productions," said NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke. "Having him on our team represents a major creative coup and everyone is looking forward to his first NBC project in The Gilded Age."

Fellowes will continue in his role as creator, writer and executive producer of Downton Abbey, which was recently renewed for a fourth season by UK's ITV. Downton, which won the Emmy for best miniseries for its first season on PBS, premieres its third season in the U.S. on Jan. 6.