'Downton Abbey' star Phyllis Logan says cast wear 'cone of shame' PPE on set of movie sequel

Downton Abbey actress Phyllis Logan says cast have to wear ‘peculiar masks’ on set while filming the movie sequel under Covid restrictions.

Fans can rejoice at the news that filming for the much-anticipated sequel of the Downton Abbey film is well underway, with a Christmas release date recently announced.

Logan who plays Mrs Carson (née Hughes) in the drama, revealed to Lorraine Kelly that the cast have nicknamed the face masks “the actors’ cone of shame.”

Watch: 'Downton Abbey 2' Confirmed With Dominic West Joining the Cast |

Read: Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay weds actor boyfriend in secret ceremony

Going into further detail about the ‘peculiar’ PPE, Logan said:

“It’s like a perspex screen that goes up but it's attached to a collar that goes around your neck. We call it the actor’s cone of shame - it’s really weird walking about like that!'

"It's because you can't put a normal mask on and wig.”

Logan said that cast are being Covid tested three times a week.

Aside from having to adapt to wearing PPE on set, Logan said filming was 'going terribly well' and confessed that the 'usual band' are 'thrilled to be doing it again'.

She also happily confirmed the names of her new co-stars who are set to feature in the sequel:

“We have the wonderful French actress Nathalie Baye, we have Dominic West, we have Hugh Dancy and we have the lovely Laura Haddock coming to join us this time around.”

These fresh faces will join the original cast during filming in the vast grounds of Highclere Castle in Hampshire, where film trucks and catering marquees were erected in March when filming began.

Read more: Lily James admits there is 'a lot to say' about those Dominic West kiss photos

As one of the lucky ones who is able to continue working during the pandemic, Logan told Kelly that she thinks things are starting to go back to normal for actors:

“It seems to be the case. At the start we thought how are we going to get round this?”

“But we've managed, people are very inventive.”

She continued: “Kevin [McNally, her actor husband] is away working and I've been doing other things as well as Downton. I don't know if things will ever be normal, but it's certainly manageable.”

Producer Gareth Neame has hinted at the Christmas release date saying:

"After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be reunited with the beloved characters."

Watch: Phyllis Logan interview interrupted