Downton Abbey Christmas Special 2015: Plot details and Lily James casting

ITV and Carnival Films, the producers of Downton Abbey, today announce casting details of the final ever episode of Downton Abbey to be shown this Christmas.

According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Patricia Hodge, the actress who played Miranda Hart’s mum in her self-titled sitcom Miranda, will be joining the cast as the stern mother of Bertie Pelham – Does that mean the wedding is back on then?

American viewers won’t see the end of Downton Abbey until 2016, but the end is nigh in Britain.

As proven in the past, the Downton Abbey series opener, closer and Christmas Day Specials have all been extended by at least half an hour, so there must be a few pretty big things planned for the 120-minutes allocated for the final ever episode this Christmas Night.

The storyline will see Lady Mary try to build bridges with her sister while Edith’s secret continues to pose a threat, despite having nothing left to lose.

Meanwhile, Mary’s new husband Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) struggles to find his place at “Downton” and butler Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) faces a few personal challenges which prove even his is not invulnerable to change. Also returning are Lily James (Cinderella) and Matt Barber (Being Human) as Lady Rose and Atticus Aldridge, alongside Lady Rose’s father, Shrimpie played by Peter Egan (Unforgotten).

With the last episode of season six drawing a two-year United Kingdom ratings high, the Christmas special will draw to a close one of the most successful British shows of all time, shown in more than 250 territories worldwide and with a record 59 Emmy nominations, including 12 wins.

Numerous episode’s scenes were shot at Alnwick Castle, while other interior scenes were shot at London’s Ritz hotel. While it will air in the United Kingdom on Christmas day, it will air on PBS in the U.S.in 2016.