Downton Abbey IS over but a film is a 'possibility' says Julian Fellowes

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Executive producer Gareth Neame and creator Lord Julian Fellowes shut down rumors that the celebrated TV series may not be over after all
There had been reports that Neame was 'leaving the door open' for a return
But he explained on Saturday that he was thinking maybe a TV company in the very distant future may remake the show with different actors
'The show is definitely over - it's come to an end. There is not the possibility of any more episodes of the TV show,' he insisted on Saturday
However the two men hinted that a movie may be in the pipeline, saying: 'It is something we're very open to and we're in very, very early stages'

Published: 22:33 EST, 19 September 2015 | Updated: 02:27 EST, 20 September 2015

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Downton Abbey fans hoping for more drama at Highclere Castle were dealt a cruel blow by bosses at the BAFTA TV Tea Party on Saturday.

After reports that executive producer Gareth Neame was leaving the door open for a return of the biggest drama in the world - he and show creator Lord Julian Fellowes shut down any talk of comeback.

In an exclusive interview with Mail Online, Fellowes insisted that 'the TV series is over,' while Neame said his recent comments had been misinterpreted - and that he was referring to the possibility of another company remaking the show with different actors in the dim and distant future.

However the men did hint that a movie may be in the pipeline, teasing that they were in the 'early stages' of a film project.

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The powers behind Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes (left) and Gareth Neame (right, pictured in 2013) insist that the show is over for good - though a film could be in the works

Neame (left) and Fellowes (right) say they were misunderstood when they said the 'door was open' for the show to come back - they meant far in the future, when someone else may 'reboot' it

Hugh Bonneville, Richard Marnelle, Rebecca Eaton, Phyllis Logan, Lesley Nicol, Allen Leech, Michelle Dockery, Writer and Executive Producer, Julian Fellowes, Laura Carmichael, Rob James-Collier and Gareth Neame in New York in 2013

Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern. producer Rebecca Eaton, writer Julian Fellowes and producer Gareth Neame accept the award for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 'Downton Abbey - Masterpiece Classic' onstage during the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2012

The last Downton Abbey episode will be a Christmas finale to be shown on British channel ITV later this year. It will then be screened in more than 130 countries around the globe.

It is understood that TV networks had offered millions of dollars to stars like Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Laura Carmichael - along with show bosses Neame and Fellowes - to continue making the series.

But they refused and vowed to bow out 'with people wanting more'.

However, fans were given a false glimmer of hope recently when Neame was quoted as saying the final series will ‘leave the door open’ for possible future shows.

On Saturday he explained that he was referring to a TV company in the future - perhaps two decades from now - rebooting the series.

The show's producers insist that no matter how popular the ITV series may be, the sixth season will be its last

Costumed favorites: (l-r) Actresses Laura Carmichael (Lady Sybil Crawley), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley) and Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil Crawley) on set

Neame said: 'The show is definitely over - it's come to an end. There is not the possibility of any more episodes of the TV show.'

Reflecting on the confusion over the comments saying the 'door was left open', he admitted: 'The point I was making in Edinburgh a few weeks ago was that it suddenly occurred to me when I was sitting on this panel that in 20 years time, somebody will own Downton Abbey and somebody will say, "Maybe we should remake it."

'But it won't be any of us. It won't be any of the actors that are in it now or any of the producers. That's what I meant. Because you never know - with all of these old brands that are resurrected - but, no, the show is definitely over.'

Fellowes added: 'These things, they're sad and so on, because we've all had such an incredible run with it. It's been fantastic, but nothing lasts forever.

Nigel Havers as Lord Hepworth, Sharon Small as Marigold Sore, Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Iain Glen as Sir Richard, Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary and Dan Stevens as Matthew in the 2011 Christmas special

Phyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes (left) and Lesley Nicol as Mrs Patmore (right) in the third season

'And I think in our business, we could both name shows that made a mistake hanging on too long; and I think if we go now, people will be quite sorry that we've gone - and that's what you want.

'You don't want a sigh of relief as you close the door. Also the young ones [actresses] - they weren't really known when they joined the show - now they're international stars. They want to see what that is, they want to flex their muscles and see what career they can get. I think it's fine that we're going.'

Fans can take some solace knowing that the Crawley family may head to the big screen in a few years time.

Neames said: 'Yeah, there is the possibility of a film. It is something we're very open to and we're in very, very early stages, so nothing concrete.'

Fellowes, who won an Oscar for writing 2001 movie Gosford Park, smiled when asked about the film and said: 'I don't think it's impossible that it is given a new life in a different form. The television series is over and that will not be revisited as a decision.'

'I'm not very good at smelling the roses. You're always on to the next thing, and we have a show launching on October the 10th on BBC America, which we're very ambitious for and very excited about. My focus is on how that one's going to do.'

That series is The Last Kingdom - a drama about warring Saxons and Danes.

Meanwhile, Downton Abbey - made by Carnival Films with NBC Universal - is in line for a raft of big honours at the Emmy Awards on Sunday.

They include Outstanding Drama Series; Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates; Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Jim Carter as Mr. Carson; Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period Program (One Hour or More) (Season 5, Episode 9); Production Design; Art Direction; Set Decoration, Casting for a Drama Series - Jill Trevellick; Casting Director, as well as for costumes, lighting, sound mixing and hair.