“Downton Abbey” to end after six series

The next season of ITV's period drama “Downton Abbey” will be its last, its makers have announced.

“Inevitably there comes a time when all shows should end and Downton is no exception,” said the programme's executive producer Gareth Neame.

Created by Julian Fellowes, the show follows an aristocratic family's fortunes from 1912 to the mid-1920s.

Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern have played the Earl and Countess of Grantham since the show began in 2010.

The drama has won a string of awards since its inception, including two Baftas, three Golden Globes and 11 Primetime Emmys.

Its success both at home and abroad was recently demonstrated when the Duchess of Cambridge went to see it being filmed at Ealing Studios in west London. 

Peter Fincham, ITV's director of television, said the nine-episode sixth series would come to an end with a “concluding special” on Christmas Day.

Source: BBC