Downton Abbey to be honoured with special Bafta award

Filming for the final scenes of the last series of Downton Abbey have begun. Several stars of the hit ITV period drama were out on location in the charming village of Bampton in Oxfordshire on Thursday, preparing to wrap up the show that has been an international success since 2010.Stars such as Sophie McShera, who plays kitchen maid Daisy, and Sue Johnston, who plays lady's maid Gladys Denker, had donned their period costumes for the sunny day on set.

They were joined by David Robb, known for his role as Dr. Clarkson, Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore), Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes) and Rob James-Collier, who plays Thomas, who embarked on a spot of cricket in the name of Downton.As the hugely successful series prepares to draw to a close, it does so on a high note – BAFTA has revealed that it is going to be giving Downton Abbey its own special tribute and award this summer.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced that the drama will not only have its very own BAFTA Tribute, but will also be honoured with a Special Award on 11 August.

Actors from the show, as well as the crew – who have worked on it for five years to make it the global smash hit it has become – will join together to celebrate it on the eve of its ending.

Downton, which starred Maggie Smith, helped to launch the careers of Michelle Dockery, Lily James and Dan Stevens. It has been a hit around the world and regularly pulls in 11 million viewers on ITV.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: "I am delighted that BAFTA is paying tribute to Downton Abbey, an extraordinary series that has flown the flag for British drama since 2010."

While the Julian Fellowes show has never won a BAFTA, it is the most nominated British show in Emmy history with more than 50 nominations to date, and collecting 11 wins, on top of nearly 30 other major accolades from around the world. It is now broadcasted in over 250 territories worldwide.