Details surrounding the forthcoming feature length addition to the Downton Abbey saga has been shrouded in secrecy, but actress Phyllis Logan revealed some key details on Thursday afternoon.
Principal photography for the much anticipated film began in late August, but fans have so far been kept in dark regarding exactly when it will be set, and indeed which cast-members will return.
But Phyllis, 62 – best known for her role as Mrs. Elsie Hughes during the show’s six series run – cast some much needed light on those questions during an appearance on ITV show Loose Women.
Opening up: Details surrounding the forthcoming feature length addition to the Downton Abbey saga has been shrouded in secrecy, but actress Phyllis Logan revealed some key details on Thursday afternoon
Fielding questions about the Michael Engler directed film, the actress revealed it will pick up some two years after series six ended with a celebratory bang on New Year’s Eve 1925.
‘We’ve gone on a couple of years but that’s all, not anymore,’ she told panelists Nadia Sawalha, Carol McGiffin, Andrea McLean and Jane Moore – who admitted she was a huge fan.
Phyllis added that she was delighted to be back on set with her old cast-mates, some three years after the show went off air, despite the group staying in regular contact with one another in the interim.
Popular: Phyllis – best known for her role as Mrs. Elsie Hughes during the show’s six series run – cast some much needed light on those questions during an appearance on ITV show Loose Women
Interesting: Fielding questions about the Michael Engler directed film, the actress revealed it will pick up some two years after series six ended with a celebratory bang on New Year’s Eve 1925
‘It hadn’t been too long (since we last met),’ she said. ‘We try to have a Downton Abbey reunion. But to be up there (filming) was great.’
However one person who definitely won’t return is Dan Stevens, despite the actor hinting his long deceased character Matthew Crawley could return form the dead in an Instagram post shared in August, shortly after filming got underway.
‘He comes back as the ghost of Christmas past,’ Phyllis joked, adding: ‘Sadly he’s still dead.’
Pleased: Phyllis added that she was delighted to be back on set with her old cast-mates, some three years after the show went off air
Together again: ‘It hadn’t been too long (since we last met),’ she said. ‘We try to have a Downton Abbey reunion. But to be up there (filming) was great’
Her admission comes after Matthew Goode, best known for his role as Henry Talbot, admitted the new film will include a range of characters not seen during the ITV period drama’s six series run.
‘It’s a very brilliant new story, the cast has got bigger,’ Goode, 40, told This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield in September. ‘I won’t tell you who’s in it. But there’s a lot of great new faces.’
The actor also admitted that Talbot – who featured during the show’s final year – will have limited screen time in the new film, adding: ‘Not a huge amount, I’ll tell you that much.’
Not happening: However one person who definitely won’t return is Dan Stevens, despite the actor hinting his long deceased character Matthew Crawley could return form the dead in an Instagram post shared in August
Gone, but not forgotten: ‘He comes back as the ghost of Christmas past,’ Phyllis joked, adding: ‘Sadly he’s still dead’
Promotional trail: Phyllis was appearing on the show to promote her new play, Switzerland
Goode has previously revealed that he will have a role in the film, albeit a short one as he said he’s just ‘popping in’ due to conflicting work commitments.
However the actor, who refused to be drawn on the film’s general plot, may well have been giving the hosts a red herring as fans well know that Talbot married Lady Mary during its final series – suggesting could play a key role.
The plot for the new film is being kept under wraps, but it has been confirmed that Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, and Laura Carmichael have all reprised their roles.
Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, and Stephen Campbell Moore are among the new additions to the cast.
The feature length version of Downton Abbey is scheduled for release on September 13 2019.