This is why the Downton Abbey movie will be missing one key character

Last week, Downton Abbey fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief when it was revealed that the series would finally be getting a movie.

And it got even better when it was revealed that many fan-favourites would be returning like Michelle Dockery, Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville. However, there is one beloved character who will be missing in the movie. Lily James, who played Lady Rose MacClare has confirmed that she will not be making an appearance in the film - but she is really, really excited for it. She told People:

"I'm sadly not, but I'm so excited for it — I'm going to be front row."

She explained that the reason behind her not appearing in the film wasn't due to scheduling - it would just be "farfetched" if she was in it. She explained:

"My character Rose moved off to New York, so it would be farfetched to bring her back.

"I would have loved to have come back for a scene, but for a movie it can't be like a Christmas special and it needs to be a focused storyline.

"There was no space for Rose."

https://twitter.com/DowntonAbbey/status/1017755341134749696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1017755341134749696&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.her.ie%2Fentertainment%2Fofficial-downton-abbey-movie-413490 Production on the feature film adaptation of the period drama will officially begin this summer. A post on the TV series' official account read: