BAFTA celebrates Downton Abbey is a special programme which is to be aired tonight in the UK.
The show which is hosted by Jonathon Ross was filmed back in August just as the cast were wrapping their final scenes on the show.
It features exclusive behind the scenes footage and a sneak peak at some of the last ever scenes to be filmed on the show.
Creator Julian Fellowes will also reveal some secrets about how the show was created, and cast members Hugh Bonneville and Dame Maggie Smith will a specially written sketch.
Various fans, including royalty, will also reveal what Downton has meant to them in a segment called “What Downton Means To Me.”
Amanda Berry, OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said:
“I am delighted that BAFTA has paid tribute to Downton Abbey, an extraordinary series that has flown the flag for British drama since 2010.
“Our tribute will take us backstage with the cast and crew to reveal what’s made it both a national treasure and global phenomenon.”
Creator Julian Fellowes recently spoke to stv.tv where he spoke about winning BAFTA’s Special Award, he said:
“It was rather an extora evening in a way, you never normally get that, I’ve never heard of anything similar, and it was rather marvellous really.
And seeing all the people like Dan [Stevens who played Matthew] who had gone the series and either died or gone off to green fields and pastures new, there was something rather touching about it.”
Gareth Naeme Executive Producer of the ITV show and managing director of Carnival Films echoed Julian’s sentiments.
“As Downton Abbey moves towards its conclusion with the final series, I speak for the entire cast and crew when I say how honoured we are that the Academy has recognised the show with this Special award.
“Not only is Downton a much loved show in Britain, it has huge success in both the US and right around the world, waving the flag for Britain and our creative content and that’s why BAFTA recognition means so much to us.”
“BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey” airs tonight in the UK on ITV1 at 9pm.
The “Downton Abbey” Christmas special will air on ITV in the U.K. Dec. 25, but U.S. audiences will have to wait until March to see it. Season 6 premieres on PBS stateside Jan. 3.
Here at CelebMix we are sad to see Downton go. Let us know your thoughts on Downton ending in the comments below or over on @CelebMix