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Downton Abbey WILL return but as a full-length movie set at least 10 years after the end of the last episode.

Rumours of a film were thrown into doubt after Dame Maggie Smith, who plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham, ruled herself out in a recent TV interview.

But insiders say show bosses recently held talks to discuss their options which proved “very fruitful”, and they are now determined to move the brand to the big screen.

A source explained: “Maggie Smith’s decision not to be part of it caused a dilemma, so the plan is now to leap forwards in time far enough for her character to have passed away.” Instead the script would focus on younger members of the Grantham family, like Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery.

Read more:Downton most watch show on Christmas Day

The final episode of the hugely popular ITV period drama went out on Christmas Day and was set in 1925, so a movie storyline would probably move on to the 1930s.

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Dame Maggie told chat host Graham Norton that she would not appear in any future film. She said: “I’m glad it’s over. By the time we finished she must have been about 110. It just didn’t make sense.”

And show producer Gareth Neame last month told a US magazine: “There is no script and no firm plan. We’ll know more next year.”