Emotional day for cast as Downton Abbey finishes filming final series

The cast of Downton Abbey gather for press call after final day of filming. Credit: PA

The Downton Abbey cast revealed it had been emotional as they wrapped filming on the final scenes of the sixth season, which will be the ITV drama's last.

They gathered together at a press screening at the Mayfair Hotel in London.

Joanna Froggatt, Michelle Dockery and Dame Maggie Smith share a laugh at the Downton press screening. Credit: PA

But it wasn't all tears - Joanna Froggatt, who plays lady's maid Anna Bates, said although it was a sad day, "it felt like a good time to finish".

As for what's next, Dame Maggie Smith, who plays the Dowager Countess, plans to relax with a Downton Abbey box-set.

Downton Abbey is the highest rating UK television drama of the past decade, with an average of 11 million viewers over the course of the last five series.

But writer and creator Julian Fellowes said it was the right time to bring the series to an end.

But the writer did hint at the possibility of a Downton film:

Julian Fellowes at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration on Tuesday. Credit: PA

The drama was presented with a Bafta special award earlier this week, in recognition of its contribution to television in the UK and around the world.

The final season will air in the autumn on ITV.