Filming has reportedly started on a surprise new series of period drama Downton Abbey, eight years on from the show's apparent finale.
A Christmas special in 2015 marked the end of the regular series, although two follow-up films were then released in 2019 and 2022 - the latter of which creator Julian Fellowes had hinted would mark the end of the saga.
According to the Daily Mail, however, recording of a seventh series is already well underway at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, although it is unknown which former cast members are taking part in the project.
A source told the newspaper: "Filming has been going on for a few weeks now, it is all very, very secret. There are people working on it who have never seen secrecy like it.
"Those working on the set have been made to sign non-disclosure agreements so that they don't give the game away but there is a lot of excitement at the return of Downton.
"It was such a huge success before and there are so many more stories to be told, it seemed such a shame not to be able to make more of it but they've made it happen."
Although yet to be officially announced, the new series is expected to air on ITV at the end of the year.
Neil Wilkes
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