ITV and Carnival Films announce details of the final episode of Downton Abbey is Christmas

ITV and Carnival Films announce details of the final episode of Downton Abbey this Christmas

ITV and Carnival Films, the producers of Downton Abbey, today announce casting details of the final ever episode of Downton Abbey to be shown this Christmas.

Joining the cast as a guest is Patricia Hodge (Miranda) who plays Bertie Pelham's mother. Also returning are Lily James (Cinderella) and Matt Barber (Being Human) as Lady Rose and Atticus Aldridge, alongside Lady Rose's father, Shrimpie played by Peter Egan (Unforgotten).

Mary endeavours to build bridges with her sister while Edith's secret continues to pose a threat, despite having nothing left to lose. As Henry settles into the role of husband and stepfather, finding his place at Downton proves more difficult. Below stairs, Carson faces some personal challenges, which prove that even he is not invulnerable to change.

The last ever episode offers all the love and loss, happiness and heartbreak of Downton Abbey, and as the family and servants prepare to welcome 1926, they celebrate an unforgettable New Year's Eve together at the great house.

Production spent a week at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, which doubled as the location for Brancaster, home of Bertie Pelham, the new Marquess of Hexham. Filming took place in the spectacular interior rooms of the Castle as well as on the estate. Production also filmed dining scenes at the Iconic Ritz in central London.

The episode will feature returning stars Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Samantha Bond, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech, Matthew Goode, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Robert James-Collier, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, Michael Fox, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sue Johnston, Jeremy Swift, Douglas Reith, David Robb, Fifi Hart, Zac and Oliver Barker and Eva and Karina Samms.

Downton Abbey is the highest rating UK drama of the past decade across any channel, with an average of nearly 11 million viewers over the course of all six seasons, including Christmas specials. The Golden Globe , Emmy , PGA, BAFTA, National Television Awards and Screen Actors Guild award-winning show, debuted on ITV in 2010 and has since become a global phenomenon. Downton Abbey is now in over 250 territories worldwide. The drama is the most nominated British show in Emmy history with 59 nominations to date, collecting 12 wins including Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Movie, Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie and Outstanding Miniseries or a Movie. As well as its record-breaking Emmy nominations, the show has so far amassed nearly 30 other major accolades around the world, including three Golden Globes , three Screen Actors Guild Awards of which two were for Best Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series, a Producers Guild of America Award, three BAFTA awards and three National Television Awards for Best Drama as voted for by the British public. The broadcast of the Season Finale on Christmas Day will mark the end of a true icon of British television history.

Downton Abbey is a Carnival/MASTERPIECE Co-Production, executive produced by Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes and Liz Trubridge. Carnival Films is part of NBCUniversal International Studios.

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-and-carnival-films-a...
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