The photographers of the Magnum Photo Agency with René Burri to the right holding the teeshirt

Downton Abbey creators to make new series based on René Burri and the Magnum photo agency

Carnival Films say "We can get right inside the key events of the 20th century through their lives and lenses"

The makers of Downton Abbey have revealed details of their next project - and it centres on the lives of the early members of the Magnum photo agency. Magnum's René Burri who sadly passed away yesterday, will be depicted alongside Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and David ‘Chim’ Seymour. 

"Magnum is an extraordinary and unique organisation, with a powerful history and an amazing story to tell," said Gareth Neame, managing director of producer, Carnival Films. "We can get right inside the key events of the second half of the 20th century through the lives and lenses of these photographers in a bold and completely original way."

The actors playing the roles have yet to be chosen and the project is still in its early stages.The series is being lined up for a 2017 air date.

A statement from Magnum read: "With cameras in hand and private lives often in turmoil, Magnum’s photographers sacrificed everything to capture history through the lens. Magnum will tell of the human stories of love, honour, laughter, betrayal and heartbreak that existed at the agency’s Paris HQ, while capturing the action and danger the photographers experienced travelling the world’s hotspots in the second half of the 20th century." Magnum Photos’ executive director David Kogan added: "We are delighted to be working with Carnival to tell the story of our founding photographers and how it all began."

Take a look at Phaidon's extensive range of Magnum-related books, read our updated appreciation of René Burri and, if you want some real insight into one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, check out our René books in the store.