Downton Abbey returns! Michelle Dockery gets back into character as she joins Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern to film first scenes of third film... but there's no sign of the iconic stately home as they relocate to Yorkshire Showground
The cast of Downton Abbey looked in high spirits as they reunited on Thursday to film the hotly-anticipated third film in the series.
Michelle Dockery was among the show's stars that were seen on set at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate as work on the movie finally kicked off.
The British actress, 42, got back into character as Lady Crawley as she modelled a brown tweed maxi skirt with a matching longline skirt and a white ruffled blouse.
Her brunette locks were styled in vintage pin curls and beneath a cloche hat to showcase her beautiful features.
By her side was her co-star and onscreen father, Hugh Bonneville, who looked perfectly at home playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham.
The cast of Downton Abbey looked in high spirits as they reunited on Thursday to film the hotly-anticipated third film in the series (pictured: Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery)
Michelle Dockery was among the show's stars that were seen on set at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate as work on the movie finally kicked off
By her side was her co-star and onscreen father, Hugh Bonneville , who looked perfectly at home playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
The BAFTA nominee, 60, looked dapper as he sported green trousers and braces with a short brown tie.
Also making her grand return to Downton was Elizabeth McGovern, known for her role as Cora, Countess of Grantham.
The American star, 62, seemed in good spirits as she caught up with Hugh on set and oversaw filming.
Other familiar faces on set were Jim Carter (Mr Carson); Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow); Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason) and Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley).
While the characters may have looked familiar, the setting was not.
Throughout the series, Downton was filmed at Highclere Castle, a Grade I listed country house in Newbury that instantly became a tourist trap as a result of the show's success.
However, this week's filming took place four hours away in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Not seen on the grounds was Joanne Froggatt, despite claims she is set to reprise her role as Anna Bates, the maid of Lady Crawley.
So far, no plot details have been announced.
However it can be expected to follow 2022's A New Era, which ended in the late 1920s with the heartbreaking passing of Crawley matriarch, Lady Violet.
While the characters may have looked familiar, the setting was not, with the cast seen milling around the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate
Throughout the series, Downton was filmed at Highclere Castle, a Grade I listed country house in Newbury that instantly became a tourist trap as a result of the show's success
Making her grand return to Downton was Elizabeth, known for her role as Cora, Countess of Grantham
Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley) was also seen getting ready to film while Michelle sipped on a takeaway coffee between scenes
The cast were seen chatting away to one another as they enjoyed the glorious sunshine
Hugh Bonneville looked perfectly at home playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
While it is assumed, therefore she won't be seen on screen in the third movie, there has been much speculation on which other castmembers will be returning.
The third instalment was first let slip early by actress Imelda Staunton, who unashamedly announced that there would definitely be a 'third and final' film.
It was later confirmed by the show runners, who announced that there would be a 'third film in the beloved Downton Abbey franchise'.
However, while producers have 'tried to reunite the cast' some stars will be unable to return.
A TV insider told The Sun: 'This will be welcome news for fans of the drama, because Anna was a particular favourite but none of the cast members were guaranteed to return.
'Although the producers have tried to reunite most of the Downton stars, not all of them have been able to commit, even if they did appear in the first two films.'
In February, The Mail revealed the period drama would be making a surprise comeback for a seventh series.
Bosses hoped to be able to bring back some of the big name actors who appeared in the previous six seasons and two movie spin-offs.
Other familiar faces on set were Jim Carter who plays Mr Carson in the ITV series
Jim was spotted chatting away with crew members while filming the show
Jim led the way as a group of extras made their way to their scenes
Sophie McShera was seen back on set reprising her role as Daisy Mason
Rob James-Collier looked in good spirits as he reprised his role as Thomas Barrow
One extra was seen on set as a policeman standing next to another smartly dressed gentleman
A group of children were seen filming scenes dressed as a school band
One extra was pictured riding on horseback as filming got underway
The extras were dressed to impress in their vintage Twenties ensembles
The actors were seen larking around as they waited to be called for their scenes
Groups of extras were spotted being ferried around the set in their vintage costumes
The return of the show, which covered the many societal changes and world events between 1912 and 1928, is expected to be on screen next year.
And just weeks after the Mail revealed there would be a seventh series of the show after eight years away, The Sun also reported that filming was scheduled to begin on the third film.
'There has been endless speculation about whether there would be a third movie and when it would be released, but finally devotees have had their prayers answered,' and insider told the publication.
'The first two films proved such a success that a third one seemed inevitable, but the biggest problem was the logistics of bringing the cast back together as their diaries are all so packed.'
Imelda will reportedly 'be missing' from the upcoming Downton Abbey film as the period drama undergoes a cast shake-up.
The actress, 68, plays one of Queen Mary's ladies-in-waiting Lady Maud Bagshaw in the much-loved TV show and movie.
But according to a new report, the star won't feature in the third and final instalment due to other commitments, as she stars in Hello Dolly! at the Palladium theatre in London.
A source told The Sun: 'This will no doubt be sad news for Downton fans, in particular those who were endeared by the character of Lady Maud.'
The cast and crew had free rein of the sprawling grounds at The Great Yorkshire Showground
Downton Abbey's first two flicks totalled a whopping £220million at the Box Office
They added: 'But they will draw some comfort from the fact that two of the best-loved central characters will be returning for this third outing.
'It still remains to be seen if the producers and writer Julian Fellowes will be able to reunite the entire cast.'
Imelda starred in the first two movies with her real-life actor husband Jim - who plays butler Carson.
The first film, in 2019, starred Hugh and Elizabeth as the Earl and Countess of Grantham.
Along with Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess, they both returned in the 2022 sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era, which saw the action divided between the stately home and the South of France.
The ITV drama series itself debuted in 2010 and ran until 2015, with the first of the two films being released in 2019.
