Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Michelle Dockery stands out in black and white gown as she joins Downton Abbey co-stars at BAFTA tribute

Thoroughly Modern Michelle: Dockery stands out in black and white gown as she joins Downton Abbey co-stars at BAFTA tribute

PUBLISHED: 19:35, 11 August 2015 | UPDATED: 22:42, 11 August 2015

They've just filmed the last ever scenes of Downton Abbey after six series of the hit period drama.

So the cast and crew were certainly in the mood to celebrate as they gathered at a London theatre on Tuesday night to be honoured by BAFTA.

Leading the way was one of the show's leading ladies Michelle Dockery, who looked a world away from her Downton alter-ego Lady Mary in a striking black and white floor-length number.

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Thoroughly Modern: Michelle Dockery looked elegant in a black and white floor-length number as she arrived at the Richmond Theatre on Tuesday evening

The Essex-native completed her looked with her brunette hair styled in soft waves and carried a gold clutch.

Michelle had brought along her mother Lorraine as her date as the Downton gang arrived at the Richmond Theatre in south west London.

Joining the 33-year-old on the red carpet was her on-screen sister Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), who looked summery in a floral maxi dress by Erdem with her hair tied back in a loose updo.

Sister act: Michelle and her co-star Laura Carmichael share the spotlight

Supportive: Michelle brought along her mother Lorraine as her date to the star-studded event

The two actresses also made sure to pose on the red carpet with their on-screen children.

Michelle joined hands with four-year-old twins Zac and Oliver Barker, who take it in turns to play Master George.

Meanwhile, Laura was joined by the twins who play her on-screen daughter Marigold.

Cute: Laura, wearing an Erdem gown, was joined by the twin actresses who play her on-screen daughter Marigold

A bit of all white: Lily James wore a fitted white dress and fun heels with pom poms on the toes

Irish co-star Allen Leech (Tom Branson) posed outside the theatre with his on-screen daughter Fifi Hart, who plays Sybbie.

Meanwhile, it appeared black and white was the dominant fashion theme of the evening with many of the guests going for the shade.

Lily James, who plays Lady Rose Aldridge, looked stunning in a white midi-length dress and matching heels with fun pom poms.

Not so mumsy now! Elizabeth McGovern showed off her fabulous legs in a satin mini dress by Suzannah and a pair of red heels

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Elegant: Joanne Froggatt looked the total opposite of dowdy ladies' maid Anna Bates in her white embellished Victoria Beckham gown

Her on-screen aunt, Elizabeth McGovern, looked more youthful than her TV character Cora, Countess Of Grantham, in a white satin mini dress by Suzannah, which she teamed with a pair of red high heels.

Also going for white was Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), who looked stunning in a white floor-length Victoria Beckham gown with bejewelled straps across her back.

Fellow 'below stairs' Downton employees Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason) and Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes) looked a world away from their characters in two glamorous numbers.

Adorable: Michelle joined hands with four-year-old twins Zac and Oliver Barker, who take it in turns to play Master George

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Old favourites: Dan Stevens, whose character Matthew Crawley was killed off in 2012 Christmas special, was reunited with the cast, while Jim Carter (Carson) swapped his butler's uniform was a swish black suit

Laura Carmichael and Jim Carter on the end of Downton Abbey

Hugh Bonneville (Robert, Earl Of Grantham) looked dapper as ever in a black suit while his wife Lucinda looked colourful in a bold black and yellow number.

Downton's matriarch Dame Maggie Smith (Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham) declined to pose on the red carpet, but waved to fans as she made her way into the theatre.

The show's creator Julian Fellowes attended with his wife Emma Joy Kitchener, who stood out in a flamboyant red outfit.

Curvy: Samantha Bond (Lady Rosamund) looked sensational in a figure-hugging black number

Samantha Bond gets teary talking about last Downton scene

Ready for the spotlight: Allen Leech looked dapper in a black suit as he carried his on-screen daughter Fifi Hart down the red carpet

Samantha Bond, otherwise known as Lady Rosamund, showed off her curves in a low-cut figure-hugging black gown.

Other current castmembers in attendance included Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore), Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley), Raquel Cassidy (Phyllis Baxter) and Jim Carter (Carson).

There were some familiar faces too as ex castmembers were invited to join their former colleagues to celebrate the show.

Legend: Dame Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham) looked in good spirits as she arrived

Dapper: Hugh Bonneville was joined by his wife Lucinda, who complemented her tan with a bold yellow and black mini dress

Leading the former castmembers was one of the show's biggest success stories and heart-throbs Dan Stevens, whose character Matthew Crawley was killed off in the Christmas 2012 special, leaving Lady Mary a widow.

Ed Speleers, who played footman Jimmy Kent from Series 3-5, attended with his wife Asia Macey.

Daisy Lewis, best known as schoolteacher and Branson's love interest Sarah Bunting in Series 4-5, stood out in a backless fuchsia gown.

From below stairs: Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason), wearing a strapless Nicholas Oakwell gown, and Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes) certainly looked very glamorous

The man behind the magic: The show's creator Julian Fellowes and his wife Emma Joy Kitchener

Wearing one of the more daring necklines on the predominantly demure red carpet was Zoe Boyle, who showed some skin in a low-cut floral gown.

She famously played Lavinia Swire, who was briefly engaged to Matthew Crawley in Series 2 before dying of Spanish flu - paving the way for his eventual marriage to Lady Mary.

The event will see the cast and crew accept a Special Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for the show's phenomenal success both in the UK and internationally.

Back from the dead: Zoe Boyle, who played Matthew Crawley's fiancee Lavinia Swire before being killed off in Series 2

Showing some skin: Daisy Lewis, who plays Sarah Bunting in Series 4-5, wore a striking fuchsia backless number

Jonathan Ross is hosting the event, which is being filmed for BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey, which will be broadcast on ITV later this year.

Gareth Neame, executive producer of the show and Managing Director of Carnival Films, said of the BAFTA honour: '‎As Downton Abbey moves towards its conclusion with the final season this autumn, I speak for the entire cast and crew when I say how honoured we are that the Academy will recognise the show with this Special Award.

'Not only is Downton a much-loved show in Britain, it has had huge success in both the US and right around the world, waving the flag for Britain and our creative content and that's why the BAFTA recognition means so much to us all.'

Showing some leg: Raquel Cassidy (Phyllis Baxter) stood out in a dramatic gown with thigh-high split

Different styles: Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore) dazzled in a sequin jacket, while Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley) looked colourful in a pink jacket and cropped trousers

The final series of Downton Abbey is set to hit British screens in September, with the final episode being broadcast at Christmas.

It was revealed over the weekend that the final series will see the Crawley family having to downsize as their extravagant lifestyle doesn't become financially viable in the changing world.

Hugh Bonneville revealed the final series, which is set in 1925, has 'a flavour of the end of an era'.

Jimmy's back! Ed Speleers, who played footman Jimmy Kent, arrived with his wife Asia Macey

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All dressed up: Cara Theobold, who played Ivy Stuart in Series 3-4, looked lovely in a navy asymmetrical gown, while Catherine Steadman (Mabel Lane Fox from Series 5) wore a stunning black gown

He said: 'We visit a neighbour in the county who literally has to sell the estate’s silver. This once [great] estate is being fragmented.

'Robert, the dinosaur that he has been this time does adapt, does see that change is necessary.

'He wants to conserve the best of the past but absolutely understands that the future beckons.'

Supporting proceedings: Julie Walters was there to present the BAFTA honour, while Jonathan Ross was hosting the event, which will be broadcast on ITV later this year

Familar face: Actress MyAnna Buring, who played a housemaid called Edna Braithwaite in Series 4, looked lovely in a strapless navy column gown, while Downton fan Kelly Hoppen opted for a black and beige number