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Cast gather for last Downton Abbey launch

Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Joanne Froggatt join Julian Fellowes at first screening of the final series.

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A press launch has been held in London for the final series of Downton Abbey.

It followed the show receiving an honorary BAFTA Award this week. (pictured).

Journalists were treated to an exclusive screening of the first episode at the May Fair hotel, followed by Q&A with Executive Producers Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes and Liz Trubridge, along with cast members including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Joanne Froggatt.

Gareth Neame, Executive Producer said: “Last night at 7pm we wrapped all of the servants. They shot their last scene. It’s an incredibly emotional, moving scene in the very last episode. It was very cleverly scheduled that they had that scene to do and then we clapped them all off the stage. I can tell you that quite a few tears were shed by grown men in the form of butlers and footmen that I never expected to see.

“I think the final season is very strong and I believe the fans of the show around the world will be happy and satisfied with what happens to our characters.”

Maggie Smith added: ‘‘I’m just surprised that I got to the end because just before this I’d done about 10 years with Harry Potter. So I felt very old indeed by the time I got to the Dowager. I’m honestly just surprised that I got through it and I’m still here.

“It was extraordinary and incredibly reassuring to see these people day after day and know that they were the first people there and they were last people to go. You’ve no idea how incredibly exhausting that must be. I do not know how it’s done, quite honestly. And there they are, all of them, and always in a very good mood, which I can’t say for myself.”

Asked what she would be doing next, she replied: “I’m going to be lying down. I believe for quite a some time. The other thing I will be doing is watching it. I will get the box set and have a good look. I certainly haven’t watched anything that I’ve done. I have seen some of it. But I want to sit down and look at it all.”

Writer and Creator Julian Fellowes said: “The characters have been so real to me for six years. So I do think you have a little sadness. You do feel rather sorry to say goodbye to these people because I’ve enjoyed the creation. I’m sorry to see them go. I’m very unlikely to be involved in anything that is as successful again and so, of course, I say goodbye to these golden years with a slight pang. But it seems the right time to go while we’re still firing.”

Actress Patricia Hodge (Miranda) will be joining the cast for the final ever episode, the Christmas episode due to air on Christmas Day in the UK.

4 Responses

  1. Does anyone think Channel Seven may fast track the last series and actually screen the Christmas Day ep on Xmas Day. It seems to have been given low priority by Seven in recent times, so why not programme it in November and on Xmas Day?

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