Downton Abbey returns! Michelle Dockery gets back into character as she joins Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern to film first scenes of third film... but there's no sign of the iconic stately hom

The cast of Downton Abbey looked in high spirits as they reunited on Thursday to film the hotly-anticipated third film in the series. The cast of Downton Abbey looked in high spirits as they reunited on Thursday to film the hotly-anticipated third film in the series Michelle Dockery was among the show's stars that were seen on set at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate as work on the movie finally kicked off By her side was her co-star and onscreen father, Hugh Bonneville, who looked perfectly at home playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham The BAFTA nominee, 60, looked dapper as he sported green trousers and braces with a short brown tie. While the characters may have looked familiar, the setting was not, with the cast seen milling around the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate Throughout the series, Downton was filmed at Highclere Castle, a Grade I listed country house in Newbury that instantly became a tourist trap as a result of the show's success Making her grand return to Downton was Elizabeth, known for her role as Cora, Countess of Grantham Penelope Wilton was The cast were seen chatting away to one another as they enjoyed the glorious sunshine Hugh Bonneville looked perfectly at home playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham While it is assumed, therefore she won't be seen on screen in the third movie, there has been much speculation on which other castmembers will be returning. Other familiar faces on set were Jim Carter who plays Mr Carson in the ITV series Jim was spotted chatting away with crew members while filming the show Jim led the way as a group of extras made their way to their scenes Sophie McShera was seen back on set reprising her role as Daisy Mason Rob James-Collier looked in good spirits as he reprised his role as Thomas Barrow One extra was seen on set as a policeman standing next to another smartly dressed gentleman A group of children were seen filming scenes dressed as a school band One extra was pictured riding on horseback as filming got underway The extras were dressed to impress in their vintage Twenties ensembles The actors were seen larking around as they waited to be called for their scenes Groups of extras were spotted being ferried around the set in their vintage costumes The return of the show, which covered the many societal changes and world events between 1912 and 1928, is expected to be on screen next year. The cast and crew had free rein of the sprawling grounds at The Great Yorkshire Showground Downton Abbey's first two flicks totalled a whopping £220million at the Box Office They added: 'But they will draw some comfort from the fact that two of the best-loved central characters will be returning for this third outing.