Downton Abbey returns! Michelle Dockery gets back into character as she joins Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern to film first scenes of third film… but there’s no sign of the iconic stately home as they relocate to Yorkshire Showground

The cast of Downton Abbey looked in high spirits as they reunited on Thursday to film the hotly-anticipated third film in the series.

Michelle Dockery was among the show’s stars that were seen on set at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate as work on the movie finally kicked off.

The British actress, 42, got back into character as Lady Crawley as she modelled a brown tweed maxi skirt with a matching longline skirt and a white ruffled blouse.

Her brunette locks were styled in vintage pin curls and beneath a cloche hat to showcase her beautiful features.

By her side was her co-star and onscreen father, Hugh Bonneville, who looked perfectly at home playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham.

The BAFTA nominee, 60, looked dapper as he sported green trousers and braces with a short brown tie.

Also making her grand return to Downton was Elizabeth McGovern, known for her role as Cora, Countess of Grantham.

The American star, 62, seemed in good spirits as she caught up with Hugh on set and oversaw filming.

Other familiar faces on set were Jim Carter (Mr Carson); Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow); Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason) and Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley).

While the characters may have looked familiar, the setting was not.

Throughout the series, Downton was filmed at Highclere Castle, a Grade I listed country house in Newbury that instantly became a tourist trap as a result of the show’s success.

However, this week’s filming took place four hours away in Harrogate, Yorkshire.

Not seen on the grounds was Joanne Froggatt, despite claims she is set to reprise her role as Anna Bates, the maid of Lady Crawley.

So far, no plot details have been announced.

However it can be expected to follow 2022’s A New Era, which ended in the late 1920s with the heartbreaking passing of Crawley matriarch, Lady Violet.

has been much speculation on which other castmembers will be returning.

The third instalment was first let slip early by actress Imelda Staunton, who unashamedly announced that there would definitely be a ‘third and final’ film.

It was later confirmed by the show runners, who announced that there would be a ‘third film in the beloved Downton Abbey franchise’.

However, while producers have ‘tried to reunite the cast’ some stars will be unable to return.

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘This will be welcome news for fans of the drama, because Anna was a particular favourite but none of the cast members were guaranteed to return.

‘Although the producers have tried to reunite most of the Downton stars, not all of them have been able to commit, even if they did appear in the first two films.’

In February, The Mail revealed the period drama would be making a surprise comeback for a seventh series.

Bosses hoped to be able to bring back some of the big name actors who appeared in the previous six seasons and two movie spin-offs.

The return of the show, which covered the many societal changes and world events between 1912 and 1928, is expected to be on screen next year.

And just weeks after the Mail revealed there would be a seventh series of the show after eight years away, The Sun also reported that filming was scheduled to begin on the third film.

‘There has been endless speculation about whether there would be a third movie and when it would be released, but finally devotees have had their prayers answered,’ and insider told the publication.

‘The first two films proved such a success that a third one seemed inevitable, but the biggest problem was the logistics of bringing the cast back together as their diaries are all so packed.’

Imelda will reportedly ‘be missing’ from the upcoming Downton Abbey film as the period drama undergoes a cast shake-up.

The actress, 68, plays one of Queen Mary’s ladies-in-waiting Lady Maud Bagshaw in the much-loved TV show and movie.

But according to a new report, the star won’t feature in the third and final instalment due to other commitments, as she stars in Hello Dolly! at the Palladium theatre in London.

A source told The Sun: ‘This will no doubt be sad news for Downton fans, in particular those who were endeared by the character of Lady Maud.’

They added: ‘But they will draw some comfort from the fact that two of the best-loved central characters will be returning for this third outing.

‘It still remains to be seen if the producers and writer Julian Fellowes will be able to reunite the entire cast.’

Imelda starred in the first two movies with her real-life actor husband Jim – who plays butler Carson.

The first film, in 2019, starred Hugh and Elizabeth as the Earl and Countess of Grantham.

Along with Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess, they both returned in the 2022 sequel, Downton Abbey: A New