Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern says 'doors are always left open' for ANOTHER sequel

Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern has suggested that the “doors are always left open” for another spin-off ahead of the film’s release.

The actress, who plays Lady Cora Crawley in Julian Fellowes’ popular period drama, told This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that the forthcoming movie was “for the fans” who “stayed with the show.”

As Willoughby referred to the “pressure on this movie to deliver,” she asked McGovern if the film will be “what we’re all hoping for,” prompting the star to reply: “I think so!

“It’s certainly our intention. I haven’t seen it yet but it is for the fans, it’s for the people that stayed with the show, that loved getting to know the characters.”

As the presenter quizzed her on the possibility of another sequel, she answered: “Well all doors are always left open, as much as I can say. We’ll see, we have to wait and see.”

The film, which features a script by Fellowes and is directed by Michael Engler, is set to take place in 1927, one year after the show’s final episode. It will focus on a royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary - and their palace staff, much to the chagrin of Downton’s servants.

McGovern explained that very little has changed since we last saw the Crawley family on screen, telling the hosts: “It’s not that much farther forward so we’re in the same milieu, the house hasn’t changed very much. It felt like we’d never left, it was amazing.”

She described her cast as “like a family” who have “been through so much together,” prompting “all the old dynamics” to “just resume” when they reunite.

Dropping few further hints as to what fans can expect from the film, she added: “As always, it’s this intricate tapestry but the main event is the ginormous occasion of the King and Queen’s visit.

“So that obviously throws the entire household into a tizzy, and lots of tension between the royal staff and our staff.”

A teaser poster released earlier this week offered a first look at the cast, with plenty of familiar faces returning and a handful of new characters.

Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), Hugh Bonneville (the Earl of Grantham) and Matthew Goode (Henry Talbot) will be joining McGovern, along with Maggie Smith as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess.

Brendan Coyle (Mr Bates), Joanne Froggatt (Anna), Jim Carter (Mr Carson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes) and Rob James-Collier (Thomas) are also returning to Downton’s servant quarters.

They will be joined by Carter’s wife Imelda Staunton, who makes her Downton debut as Lady Bagshaw, and Tuppence Middleton, who plays lady’s maid Lucy.

The Downton Abbey movie is set to arrive in UK cinemas on September 13