Downton Abbey star admits cast 'got in trouble' after breaking on set rule

Downton Abbey star Dame Penelope Wilton has opened up on rather tipsy day on set that landed the cast 'in hot water' after they broke a key rule.

The drama series, set in Yorkshire and centred around the lives of the upper class and their staff, is drawing to a close with a film titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, set for release on 12 September.

In anticipation of the final film, actress Dame Penelope Wilton and Sophie McShera joined BBC The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, where they looked back on some unforgettable moments from filming, reports the Express.

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Alex then revealed: "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 directed her next question at Dame Penelope, known for her role as Isobel Crawley, asking: "Were you one of the ones - the trouble makers, Dame Penelope."

Dame Penelope confessed: "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."

Her co-star Sophie, who portrays Daisy Mason, queried: "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 went on: "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, viewers were treated to a glimpse of the Downton Abbey teaser, suggesting "plenty of tears" and the "heartbreaking" conclusion that signals the finale of the beloved period drama.

The official synopsis for The Grand Finale reveals: "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 continued: "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 movie boasts a stellar ensemble 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.

Additionally appearing are 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 scheduled to arrive in UK cinemas on September 12, 2025.