DOWNTON NAPPY Downton Abbey favourite returning for series third film – but there’s a shock twist

Filming is starting this summer and the final film is set to be released next year

SHE was one of the best-loved stars of Downton Abbey, so fans will be delighted that now I can reveal that Joanne Froggatt is returning for the third movie based on the TV show.

The actress played Lady Crawley’s maid Anna Bates from 2010 on the hit ITV series and appeared in the first two Downton films in 2019 and 2022.

Last week Joanne was seen on the set of the latest film outing and her character appeared to be pregnant.

A TV insider said: “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.”

Among the stars not returning are Imelda Staunton as Lady Maud Bagshaw, though her husband Jim Carter is reprising his role as Mr Carson and Hugh Bonneville is back as Lord Grantham.

The first two Downton movies, written by Julian Fellowes, raked in £220million at the global box office.

The first movie starred Hugh and Elizabeth McGovern as the Earl and Countess of Grantham.

Along with Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess, they both returned in the sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era which was divided between Highclere and the South of France.

I exclusively revealed in March there was going to be another movie, with filming starting this summer and the final film set to be released next year.

Last week Dominic West also confirmed he would be returning to play silent film actor Guy Dexter, who is in the midst of a passionate relationship with Downton’s former butler Barrow, played by Rob James-Collier.

Maybe there’s a big twist and one of them is the father of Anna’s baby.