Downton Abbey fans have already seen the likes of Dame Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton on set of the new hotly-anticipated movie.
And on Tuesday, Hugh Bonneville, (Lord Grantham), Elizabeth McGovern, (Lady Crawley) and Jim Carter, (Charles Carson), were all pictured on set for the first time as they appeared in military-inspired scenes outside in Bath.
In the images, Hugh could be seen wearing military attire, with his jacket removed to reveal braces, while Elizabeth was in wore a dressing gown over the top of her costume, with her hair in pins and a script in her hand.
Downton Abbey The Movie: Elizabeth McGovern wears a dressing gown and hair pins in her locks while wielding THAT coveted script, (left) as Hugh Bonneville (right), wears military attire as they are pictured on set for the first time
Thumbs up! Hugh took on the role of Lord Grantham in all his military splendour as she posed alongside these lovely ladies
Horses were decked out in all their finery for the 1920s setting, as they practised their procession with a crew member sitting on a middle horse in order to direct the other animals.
A large marquee was decked in red and blue bunting, with steps leading up to another brightly decorated bandstand, covered in a striking red carpet.
Last week, two other very special members of the cast were spotted on location for the first time – with series star Dame Maggie Smith, 73, leading the actors shooting scenes at a church in Bampton, England.
Attention! Horses were decked out in all their finery for the 1920s setting, as they practised their procession with a crew member sitting on a middle horse in order to direct the other animals
The butler: Jim Carter, (Charles Carson), stood among a sea of not very 1920s Nike trainers, between takes
Salute! The trio all rose for the very formal occasion which appeared to show him getting some sort of military award
It has been announced that the movie is pegged for European release on Friday 13 September 2019 and US release on Friday 20 September 2019
Revisiting another original locale from the long-running ITV series of the same name, a large sign on the wall read ‘Downton Cottage Hospital’ – of which Dame Maggie’s character Lady Violet Crawley was chairwoman on the show.
Penelope stars as Isobel Crawley – whose scenes opposite Dame Maggie are considered some of the best of the series and she was back on the day, to film further scenes.
The first images of the set were unveiled a day before that, as the cast and crew returned to the world famous Highclere Castle – the main setting for the story.
That’s one way to pass the time: Elizabeth also had a book in her hand, while Hugh thumbed through his mobile phone, certainly not something his character would have been in possession of back then
Pulling faces: Hugh could be seen fiddling around with his white gloves while waiting to shoot the next take
Outside their comfort zone: The Jacobethan country house at Highclere Castle has been the home of the show since its inception in 2010 so it’s rare that filming takes outside
Horsing around: Animals waited patiently between takes as they posed in all their finery
The Jacobethan country house has been the home of the show since its inception in 2010.
It has been announced that the movie is pegged for European release on Friday 13 September 2019 and US release on Friday 20 September 2019.
Filming began earlier this month, and Michelle Dockery – another of the returning stars – took to her Instagram to share a snapshot from behind the scenes of the movie.
The actress, 36, is reprising her role as Lady Mary Crawley, and the film will continue where the hugely-popular ITV show left off when it wrapped in December 2015.
And it goes like this: The famous footman and Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley) went through their lines with a crew member
Next scene: Penelope traipsed off to her next scene in all her finery, while walking alongside someone wearing Crocs (left), while the footman carried his own military headwear (right)
A lot of work: A look into each shot shows the amount of man power that goes into creating each scene (pictured: the military bandstand, decked with a coat of arms and a red carpet)
Give us a peek: Elizabeth appeared happy to be back on set and eager fans would be delighted to steal a look at that script
She was clearly excited to be back, as, alongside the image of a clapperboard on set, Michelle wrote: ‘And… we’re off’.
The plot for the new film is being kept under wraps, but it has been confirmed that Michelle will also be joined by original co-stars Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, and Laura Carmichael as well as Dame Maggie and Penelope.
Matthew Goode, who plays Lady Mary’s husband Henry Talbot, has also 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.
Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, and Stephen Campbell Moore are among the new additions to the cast.
Extra, extra: Lots of actors were used for these military scenes and their 1920s clothing was in stark contrast to the way the crew was dressed
All eyes on her: One seemingly new character posed while her picture was taken, no doubt checking for continuity
The parade: No expense was spared when perfectly organised horses joined a procession
Michelle was not the only cast member to express their joy at being back, as Joanne Froggatt also shared a picture of her trailer, which had her character’s name on it.
Having played maid Anna Bates in all six seasons of the period drama, it’s no wonder that she is back for another chapter.
Allen Leech and Hugh appeared to be spending some quality time together, as the latter revealed they ‘skipped the first day of filming for Downton Abbey’ to go to see a play in Bath.
Allen, who reprises his role as Tom Branson in the film, wrote: ‘Quick catch up after 9 holes of golf……. after rehearsals, rehearsals and scene study!’
The Downton Abbey movie was confirmed in July after months of speculation from eager fans.
More to come: The film will continue where the hugely-popular ITV show left off when it wrapped in December 2015
Secret: The plot for the new film is being kept under wraps, but it has been confirmed that Michelle will also be joined by original co-stars Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, and Laura Carmichael as well as Dame Maggie and Penelope
It’s finally coming: The Downton Abbey movie was confirmed in July after months of speculation from eager fans