Downton Abbey is coming back ‘for one final time’

Downton Abbey is reportedly coming back for one “final” outing, it’s been revealed.

Downton Abbey originally aired on ITV for six series between 2010 and 2015.

In 2019 a feature-length film came to cinemas before a sequel which was released in 2022.

While it had been recently rumoured the show could be heading back to TV, actress Imelda Staunton has let slip a third and final movie is in the works.

Appearing on the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, she shared of the show: “There will be the final film – there you go.”

Host Zoe Ball reacted: “Wow, that’s pretty huge. I hope we haven’t got you in trouble,” to which Staunton answered: “I don’t care.”

Further details on the plans are yet to be officially confirmed.

The Sun says that filming is due to take place this summer, with Paul Giamatti returning to the cast.

He previously appeared as Harold Levinson in the TV show’s 2013 Christmas special.

Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern and Joanne Froggatt are all also expected to return.

Last year saw creator and writer Julian Fellowes tease of the show’s future to TalkRadio: “I have said goodbye to Downton so many times, and I have written the last scene about six or seven times.

“Now I’ve got out of the habit of making permanent statements whether it’s gone.”

For now, watch this space!

You can catch up on past episodes of Downton Abbey via ITVX.

Downton Abbey aired a total of 52 episodes over six series between 2010 and 2015. A full boxset of all episodes is also available on DVD or Blu-Ray here.

The historical drama is set on the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey between 1912 and 1926.

The show follows the Crawley family and their domestic servants as they live through events including the sinking of the Titanic and the First World War. The two films followed directly on from the TV series, set in 1926 and 1927.

Both films were penned by Julian Fellowes who created and wrote the TV series.