Hit ITV drama Downton Abbey has won Emmys, BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe - so the news that the period show will end after season six devastated fans of the show. Now, Lord Grantham himself, Hugh Bonneville, has opened up on the news, revealing that filming of the last season is "going to be quite an extraordinary experience".
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Hugh admitted that he was "amazed" that the show lasted beyond season one in 2010.
"Those who follow the show might remember at the end of series one, there was a slightly odd feeling because some of it was wrapped up in case the show never returned and some of it was left open in case it did. So there was no guarantee the show was going to continue", he revealed.
The sixth season will air towards the end of 2015, and Hugh confirmed that the Christmas episode will be the last.
In a statement on Thursday, writer and executive producer Julian expressed his gratitude at being able to create the show six years ago, and admitted that he never predicted how successful it would become.
"The Downton journey has been amazing for everyone aboard," wrote Julian. "People ask if we knew what was going to happen when we started to make the first series and the answer is that, of course we had no idea.
"Exactly why the series had such an impact and reached so many people around the world, all nationalities, all ages, all types, I cannot begin to explain. But I do know how grateful we are to have been allowed this unique experience."
When asked about the last season, Hugh admitted that he had yet to read all the scripts but said: "It's still so loved around the world... Julian [Fellowes] personally said 'I want to write one more, there's one more push I want to do in terms of bringing all the characters in to land properly'."
But there is one thing that he would like to see happen as the credits roll: "I'd like the daughters to be happy."