‘Downton Abbey’ is to return for a sixth series.
The hit period drama’s producers, ITV and Carnival Films, have announced that production will begin on the next instalment early next year, following its continued success with the current fifth series.
Carnival’s managing director, Gareth Neame said: "We have had an amazing reaction to the story lines, acting and production values of ‘Downton Abbey’ this year and the whole team is thrilled to be moving ahead with a new season of the show.
"This will provide audiences with a fresh opportunity to see what will befall our much loved characters."
The fifth series saw the return of much loved characters including the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael), Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) and the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith), who will also feature in a Christmas special before the start of the sixth series.
ITV’s director of commissioning, Steve November added: "It is fantastic that Downton continues to be such a phenomenon – still the most popular drama on ITV in its fifth series – and we are thrilled to have commissioned a sixth series.
"We don’t know yet what [writer and creator] Julian [Fellowes] has planned, but we are looking forward to working with him, the fantastic cast and Carnival again and have no doubt series six will be unmissable."
Downton Abbey returns for sixth series
