Laura Carmichael: 'It was a thrill to see the Downton Abbey characters come together'

Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael is hoping the film version of the TV hit is a smash, so the gang can get back together again and make a sequel.

The actress, who has portrayed Lady Edith Crawley on and off for over a decade, joined her old castmates for the upcoming movie adaptation and admits it was great to watch them all get back into character.

"It was really lovely getting the gang back together for a lush couple of months," she told WENN at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour. "We kind of knew when we were dispersing that it would take a while to get everyone back together again in one go, and so it was really magical to see each other and to become those characters again. We all had a dreamy time.

"It was great seeing Jim (Carter) become Carson and seeing Phyllis (Logan) become Mrs. Hughes; it gave us all a thrill. And there are some new exciting cast members."

The TV show ended in 2015 and it took three years to get the cast back together for the movie, which began production late last year (18).

The finished film will hit cinemas in September (19), but little is known about the plot.

As well as Carmichael, Carter and Logan, Downton Abbey favourites Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, and Joanne Froggatt also reprised their roles, and Laura feels sure fans will like the movie.

"I think everyone will be pleased," Laura added. "We've upped the ante, it's like we turned the volume up!"