Joanne Froggatt steals the show in sheer white dress while Michelle Dockery looks chic in tailored black suit as they attend emotional Downton Abbey press launch

They've just finished filming their last ever scenes.

And on Thursday the cast of Downton Abbey attended what will be their last ever press launch at The Mayfair hotel in London - and things got a little emotional.

Downton favourites Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Joanne Froggatt all attended the event, with the latter wowing in a sheer white dress. 

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Farewell: The stars and makers of Downton Abbey held what will be their last ever press launch at The Mayfair hotel in London on Thursday

Farewell: The stars and makers of Downton Abbey held what will be their last ever press launch at The Mayfair hotel in London on Thursday

The 34-year-old actress - who plays lady's maid Anna Bates in the show - looked far from servant-like in the ankle-length design , which featured a flattering belted waist.

She teamed the feminine style with a pair of black stilettos and wore her gorgeous blonde tresses in soft tousled curls.

Her co-star Michelle looked equally stunning in a black trouser suit, which she teamed with a floating white vest top. 

Coordinated: Michelle Dockery and Joanne Froggatt sported monochromatic ensembles for the press launch

Coordinated: Michelle Dockery and Joanne Froggatt sported monochromatic ensembles for the press launch

Back to black: Michelle looked gorgeous in a black trouser suit, which she teamed with a floating white vest top

Back to black: Michelle looked gorgeous in a black trouser suit, which she teamed with a floating white vest top

Grinning: Michelle and Joanne couldn't contain their smiles as they posed for photos together

Grinning: Michelle and Joanne couldn't contain their smiles as they posed for photos together

The 33-year-old starlet wore her brown shoulder-length locks in a wavy style and kept her make-up classic with a black smoky eye and red lip. 

The event saw most of those who have worked on the acclaimed ITV drama reflect on the past five years, with Smith expressing her shock at making it through to the end of the series.

'I’m just surprised that I got to the end because just before this I’d done about 10 years with Harry Potter. So I felt very old indeed by the time I got to the Dowager. I’m honestly just surprised that I got through it and I’m still here,' she enthused. 

Say cheese! The cast and crew made sure to smile for a group photo

Say cheese! The cast and crew made sure to smile for a group photo

Three's company: Michelle and Joanne were also joined by Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham

Three's company: Michelle and Joanne were also joined by Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham

Friends: The girls showcased just how close they've become over the years as they held the other by the waist and laughed incessantly

Friends: The girls showcased just how close they've become over the years as they held the other by the waist and laughed incessantly

Non-stop laughs: Joanne and Michelle even got Dame Maggie Smith involved in their giggles

Non-stop laughs: Joanne and Michelle even got Dame Maggie Smith involved in their giggles

'It was extraordinary and incredibly reassuring to see these people day after day and know that they were the first people there and they were last people to go. You’ve no idea how incredibly exhausting that must be. I do not know how it’s done, quite honestly. And there they are, all of them, and always in a very good mood, which I can’t say for myself.'

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel star - who has been in the industry for over fifty years - also revealed that she had no plans to work on other projects after wrapping up Downton and will instead take the time to relax. 

'I’m going to be lying down. I believe for quite some time. The other thing I will be doing is watching it. I will get the box set and have a good look. I certainly haven’t watched anything that I’ve done. I have seen some of it. But I want to sit down and look at it all.,' the actress dished.

Grateful: Smith admitted she was hesitant that she'd make it through to the end of Downton

Grateful: Smith admitted she was hesitant that she'd make it through to the end of Downton

Success: Since airing in 2010, the drama has become the most nominated British show in Emmy history with 59 nominations to date

Success: Since airing in 2010, the drama has become the most nominated British show in Emmy history with 59 nominations to date

Candid: 'I’m just surprised that I got to the end because just before this I’d done about 10 years with Harry Potter. So I felt very old indeed by the time I got to the Dowager,' Maggie confessed

Candid: 'I’m just surprised that I got to the end because just before this I’d done about 10 years with Harry Potter. So I felt very old indeed by the time I got to the Dowager,' Maggie confessed

Chic: Samantha Bond opted for a summery style in a cherry-print blue gown and dangling earrings
Happy: Elizabeth couldn't stop flashing her smile

Chic: Samantha Bond opted for a summery style in a cherry-print blue gown and dangling earrings

Stunning: Downton favourites Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Joanne Froggart all attended the event, with the latter wowing in a sheer white dress

Stunning: Downton favourites Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Joanne Froggart all attended the event, with the latter wowing in a sheer white dress

Show creator Julian Fellowes appeared to be particularly impassioned about the show's end, though while he admitted it would sad to see the show go, he remained adamant that it is the right time to say goodbye. 

'The characters have been so real to me for six years. So I do think you have a little sadness. You do feel rather sorry to say goodbye to these people because I’ve enjoyed the creation. I’m sorry to see them go,' he gushed.

'I’m very unlikely to be involved in anything that is as successful again and so, of course, I say goodbye to these golden years with a slight pang. 

Smart casual: Elizabeth opted for a more casual laid-back in skinny jeans, a knitted grey jumper and a silver blazer

Smart casual: Elizabeth opted for a more casual laid-back in skinny jeans, a knitted grey jumper and a silver blazer

Monochrome Maggie: The 80-year-old  looked typically sophisticated in a black and white tweed jacket, a white blouse and black trousers

Monochrome Maggie: The 80-year-old  looked typically sophisticated in a black and white tweed jacket, a white blouse and black trousers

Phenomenon: Downton Abbey has been on the air since 2010 and has been a massive success worldwide

Phenomenon: Downton Abbey has been on the air since 2010 and has been a massive success worldwide

Close: Joanne rested her hand on Michelle's arm as the girls engaged in a humorous conversation with Smith

Close: Joanne rested her hand on Michelle's arm as the girls engaged in a humorous conversation with Smith

Special guest: The launch also saw the announcement that Miranda actress Patricia Hodge would be joining the cast for the final ever episode, which will air on Christmas day

Special guest: The launch also saw the announcement that Miranda actress Patricia Hodge would be joining the cast for the final ever episode, which will air on Christmas day

He added, 'It seems the right time to go while we’re still firing.'

The launch also saw the announcement that Miranda actress Patricia Hodge would be joining the cast for the final ever episode, which will air on Christmas day. 

Since airing in 2010, the drama has become the most nominated British show in Emmy history with 59 nominations to date, collecting 11 wins including Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Movie, Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie and Outstanding Miniseries or a Movie.

Looking the part! Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley, Elizabeth as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley

Looking the part! Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley, Elizabeth as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley

 What a beauty! The 33-year-old starlet wore her brown shoulder-length locks in a wavy style and kept her make-up classic with a black smoky eye and red lip

 What a beauty! The 33-year-old starlet wore her brown shoulder-length locks in a wavy style and kept her make-up classic with a black smoky eye and red lip

The series has so far amassed nearly 30 other major accolades around the world, including three Golden Globes, three Screen Actors Guild Awards of which two were for Best Ensemble Cast in a Drama Series, a Producers Guild of America Award, three BAFTA awards and three National Television Awards for Best Drama as voted for by the British public.

It is also the highest rating UK drama of the past decade across any channel, with an average of 11 million viewers over the course of the last five series, including Christmas specials.

In the U.S. series 5, had a weekly average audience of 12.9 million viewers over its nine-week run and concluded in March this year having been watched by 25.5 million people. 

Wise words: Maggie and Michelle engaged in a deep conversation, with the veteran actress gently resting her hand on Michelle's

Wise words: Maggie and Michelle engaged in a deep conversation, with the veteran actress gently resting her hand on Michelle's

Emotional: Show creator Julian Fellowes appeared to be particularly impassioned about the show's end, though remained adamant it was the right time to go

Emotional: Show creator Julian Fellowes appeared to be particularly impassioned about the show's end, though remained adamant it was the right time to go

Grand job! The series has so far amassed nearly 30 other major accolades around the world, including three Golden Globes 

Grand job! The series has so far amassed nearly 30 other major accolades around the world, including three Golden Globes 

Global hit: Downton Abbey is the highest rating UK drama of the past decade across any channel, with an average of 11 million viewers over the course of the last five series, including Christmas specials

Global hit: Downton Abbey is the highest rating UK drama of the past decade across any channel, with an average of 11 million viewers over the course of the last five series, including Christmas specials

 

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