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Dame Maggie Smith and Dan Stevens have thrown Downton Abbey bosses into panic amid fears they are set to quit the show.

Cast and crew are currently working on the third series of the hit drama, set to air on ITV towards the end of this year.

But bosses are already looking ahead and key cast members including Hugh ­Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham, and Michelle Dockery, loved by millions as Lady Mary, have reportedly been persuaded to sign up for series four and five.

The Sunday night drama has millions of devoted fans and they will be deeply concerned by reports that several performers, including 29-year-old Dan Stevens who shot to fame as Matthew Crawley, have not yet signed up.

Dame Maggie Smith, 77, who plays the elderly Dowager Countess of Downton, is also considering her future.

Siobhan Finneran who stars as housekeeper Miss O’Brien and Jessica Brown Findlay, who brings Lady Sybil Crawley to life, are also dithering over whether to put pen to paper, according to respected industry website TV Line.

The loss of such a significant selection of the original main characters could be a body blow for the show, which was attracting audiences in excess of 10 million viewers during its last series.

Dame Maggie’s agent yesterday confirmed that the Oscar-winning screen legend had yet to sign up or even enter negotiations for series four, but declined to comment further on her future on Downton.

(Image: ITV)

(Image: ITV)

Fans will be relieved to learn that Elizabeth McGovern who plays Cora, Countess of Grantham, Joanne Froggatt, housemaid Anna, and Brendan Coyle who plays valet John Bates are, however, said to be returning.

Heartthrob Dan Stevens is expected to marry Lady Mary in the new series after their engagement was announced during the Christmas Day special, but show bosses are eager to keep their plans under wraps until the series hits screens in the autumn.

A source said: “Downton Abbey has a history of major surprises, and the producers are not opposed to changing casting within the show to add to the drama.

“But it’s hard to imagine the series without Maggie Smith or Dan Stevens involved in some way.

“To write the Dowager Countess out of the series, or even kill off the character, would be Downton’s boldest storyline yet.”

It has already been announced that another older female character, played by Shirley MacLaine, 77, is set to be introduced in series three. She will ruffle feathers after arriving as Lady Crawley’s mother.

(Image: ITV)

(Image: ITV)

Creator Julian Fellowes has previously dodged questions about his long-term plans for the show, insisting he had always ­envisaged the series in three parts.

But he’s also said he was open to ­continuing the series beyond that if viewers were still enjoying it.

Executive producer Gareth Neame has gone on record to say he hopes the series will carry on for many more years.

A spokesman for Downton Abbey’s UK producer Carnival said: “We are currently filming series three of Downton Abbey in which all the cast have returned.

“ITV have not yet commissioned a fourth and fifth series which, if they happen, would be a long way off.”

The show’s US-based production company Masterpiece declined to make any comment on the reports.