Downton Abbey star returns for third film with big baby shock

It has been revealed that Joanne Froggatt will reprise her role as Anna Bates in Downton Abbey 3 – but she’s back with a twist!

The much-loved star played Lady Crawley’s maid, in Downton Abbey from 2010 until the finale in 2015 and the first two films, and now she’s back filming the third film with most of the original cast from the series.

The third and final film in the franchise is filming this summer, with a release date set for 2025, and according to reports, Joanne was seen back on set in character – with what looks like a baby bump.

Whether Anna is pregnant or not is yet to be officially confirmed, however, with a source reportedly telling The Sun: “This will be good news for fans of the drama as Anna was a particular favourite, but none of the cast members were assured to come back.

“Even though the producers tried to bring together most of the Downton stars, not all of them were able to commit, even though they appeared in the first two films.

Joanne Froggatt attends the Huishan Zhang show during London Fashion Week

Joanne Froggatt is back for Downton Abbey 3. (Image credit: Getty Images)

After months of speculation, producers have confirmed that a third film is on the way in May 2024.

All our old favorite characters will be back, while stars such as Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan will join the cast. Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter from Downton Abbey: a new era.

“It’s amazing and a bit emotional,” Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, said in a video confirming the news. “It’s wonderful to be together again. You get back together and it’s like no time has passed.”

Unfortunately, Imelda Staunton, who played Maud Bagshaw, is an actor unlikely to return. Despite the fact that the star of The crown was the first to confirm the film was in production when she let the cat out of the bag on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show in March 2024, with the film expected to film at the same time as Imelda appears in Hello Dolly! at the Palladium Theater in London.

Fortunately, her real husband, Jim Carter, will take over his Downton role, Charles Carson, as does Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham.

Filming on the third spinoff film is underway, with a likely release date in 2025.