Downton Abbey star admits cast 'got in trouble' on set after ignoring strict ban

Downtown Abbey's Dame Penelope Wilton has recalled a boozy day on set that got the cast 'in trouble' after ignoring a major rule.

The Yorkshire-set series about the life of the landed gentry and their servants is set to come to an end with a film titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which will be released September 12.

Ahead of the final film, actress Dame Penelope Wilton and Sophie McShera appeared on BBC The One Show alongside hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp as they reminisced on some memorable moments on set.

Alex went on to say: "We heard that when you were filming, the entire cast jumped into the pool when they weren't supposed to and you got into some trouble for it."

She then turned to Dame Penelope, who is known for her role as Isobel Crawley and asked: "Were you one of the ones - the trouble makers, Dame Penelope."

Dame Penelope admitted: "No I wasn't there but I was there and I witnessed a lot of wine being drunk, I mean bottles of wine. In fact Hugh and I gave Maggie and Rod, who owned the house, a case of wine afterwards because we felt so guilty and (late) Dame Maggie was knocking it back."

Co-star Sophie, who plays the role of Daisy Mason, asked: "But she didn't go in the pool, did she?" Dame Penelope confirmed: "No she didn't, she might have but she didn't. Michelle did go in the pool and everyone got a terrible ticking off."

She continued: "I was standing by because I had another scene to do. It was mid filming, in the middle of the day so Michelle (Dockery) got into terrible trouble because of her costume. We had sort of had it by then, it was a very long day."

Earlier this year, fans caught a glimpse of the Downton Abbey teaser, hinting at "plenty of tears" and the "heartbreaking" conclusion that marks the end of the much-loved period drama.

The official synopsis for The Grand Finale states: "DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s."

It added: "As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter."

The film features a star-studded cast including Simon Russell Beale, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Joanne Froggatt, Paul Giamatti and Harry Hadden-Paton.

Also making an appearance is Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Alessandro Nivola, Dominic West, Penelope Wilton, Arty Froushan, Joely Richardson, Paul Copley, and Douglas Reith.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set to hit UK cinemas on September 12, 2025.