It’s official: the curtains at Downton Abbey will finally close when we finish filming Series 6 in August. And yes, it will be an emotional farewell, both on-screen and off. Here’s the statement from our Producers.  

To clarify recent speculation, the labrador that appeared in Series One (1912-14) was a dog called Pharaoh. From Series Two (1916-1920) onwards, the labrador has been a bitch named – in keeping with the Egyptian theme – Isis. Anyone who genuinely...