Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes's new show The Gilded Age coming in 2019

The Gilded Age, the new period drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, has been given a release date.

NBC has commissioned a first series of 10 episodes, which is to premiere on the US channel next year.

Set in New York in the 1880s, the show will portray "a period of immense social upheaval", according to the network.

NBC's description of the series reads: "Marian Brook is the wide-eyed young scion of a conservative family who will embark on infiltrating the wealthy neighboring family dominated by ruthless railroad tycoon George Russell, his rakish and available son Larry, and his ambitious wife Bertha, whose 'new money' is a barrier to acceptance by the Astor and Vanderbilt set. Marian is about to experience a whole new world springing up right outside her front door."

Plans for the series were first announced in 2012, but the show was put on hold due to Fellowes's writing commitments on ITV's Downton Abbey, which ended in 2015 after six series, drawing an audience of more than 11 million UK viewers for its Christmas Day finale.

“To write The Gilded Age is the fulfillment of a personal dream,” the 68-year-old writer and Conservative peer said. “I have been fascinated by this period of American history for many years and now NBC has given me the chance to bring it to a modern audience.

"I could not be more excited and thrilled. The truth is, America is a wonderful country with a rich and varied history, and nothing could give me more pleasure than be the person to bring that compelling history to the screen.”

As yet, no casting plans have been announced. Fellowes will produce the series alongside his former Downton producer Gareth Neame, for Universal Television.