Imelda Staunton is unlikely to appear in the third Downton Abbey film | Entertainment

Imelda Staunton will reportedly be missing from the third Downton Abbey film.

The 68-year-old actress played Lady Maud Bagshaw in the first two films in the series, but is not expected to reprise the role as she is committed to the London stage production Hello Dolly!, in which she will appear during the project will star films in 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 undoubtedly be sad news for Downton fans, particularly those who were loved by the character Lady Maud.”

“But they will take some comfort from the fact that two of the most beloved main characters will be returning for this third outing.

“It remains to be seen whether producers and writer Julian Fellowes will be able to bring the entire cast back together.”

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

She told BBC Radio 2's DJ Zoe Ball: “There will be one last film – here we go.”

When asked if she might have gotten into trouble by sharing the news, she replied: “I don't care.”

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

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Downton fans will recognize Paul from his last starring role in Downton Abbey in the 2013 TV series, where he played Harold Levinson, the Countess of Grantham's brother. played. But getting him back is a work in progress.” Something of a coup for the creative team, as he has since become even more in demand as his career progresses.

“Since he was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor, that will only increase. But now he has signed on to be part of the new Downton film.”

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