12 Things The Downton Abbey Cast Revealed About The New Film During Their BUILD Interview

8. Allen Leech was probably the busiest member of the cast during filming

“Branson is sort of Action Man in the film,” Hugh joked. “As I said to Allen when we first read the script, you’ve got more plots than an allotment. He dashes from plot to plot, and it’s very exciting, for the younger generation.

“Lord Grantham has just sort of retired, and sort of sits in the background eating.”

Allen said: “You never really know what you’re going to have with the script when you first get it, and I was really delighted to have the storylines that I do. Where Branson left off at the end of season six, I really wanted things to happen for him, and I’m delighted to say that they do.”

9. The cast all struggled to contain their laughter during Kevin Doyle’s most hilarious scene

“There’s a moment in the film which I won’t give away – you’ll know exactly which one when you see it – that when we were filming, we were in hysterics,” Michael revealed. “As the camera goes past us and we’re out of shot, our shoulders are shaking, and the directors behind the cameras’ shoulders are shaking.

“He got a round of applause at the premiere, actually, just because it’s so funny.”

10. No, the actors don’t get any say in what happens to their characters

“Chance would be a fine thing!” Phyllis exclaimed, when asked if she contributes to what happens to Mrs Hughes.

Allen continued: “Laura [Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith] was talking about this the other day. At one point, there was a character called Gregson and she loved the relationship between Edith and Gregson. But he disappeared, and she was constantly wondering when and if he was ever going to come back.

“So she wrote to Julian [Fellowes] about it, pleading with him, she really wanted Gregson to come back. And a couple of episodes later, Hugh had a line, ’they found bits of him in Germany’.”

“There was absolutely no question,” Hugh added. “He was also doing a play at The National, which is why he’s not coming back…”