Imelda Staunton unlikely to appear in third Downton Abbey movie

Imelda Staunton will reportedly be absent from the third 'Downton Abbey' movie.

The 68-year-old actress played Lady Maud Bagshaw in the first two films in the franchise but she's not expected to reprise the role because of her commitments to London stage production 'Hello Dolly!', which she will be starring in while the project films over the summer.

However, Imelda's real-life husband, Jim Carter, will be back as Charles Carson, as will Hugh Bonneville as the Earl of Grantham.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “This will no doubt be sad news for Downton fans, in particular those who were endeared by the character of Lady Maud.

“But they will draw some comfort from the fact that two of the best-loved central characters will be returning for this third outing.

“It still remains to be seen if the producers and writer Julian Fellowes will be able to reunite the entire cast.”

Imelda herself confirmed last month a third movie was in the pipeline.

She told BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball: “There will be a final film — there you go.”

Asked if she might have got herself in trouble by revealing the news, she replied: “I don’t care.”

It was recently reported 'The Holdovers' star Paul Giamatti will appear in the new movie, having previously appeared in the original TV series as Harold Levinson

A source told The Sun newspaper: "'Downton' fans will recognise Paul from the last time he starred in 'Downton Abbey' in the 2013 TV series, playing Harold Levinson, the brother of the Countess of Grantham. But getting him back is still something of a coup for the creative team because since then his career has seen him become even more in demand.

"That's only going to increase since he was nominated for his Best Actor Oscar. But he has now committed to being a part of the new 'Downton' film."

'Downton Abbey' originally aired on ITV between 2010 and 2015 before moving to the big screen with a 2019 film of the same name and the 2022 sequel 'Downton Abbey: A New Era'.