Dame Maggie, who plays formidable Lady Violet Crawley, was seen giggling with new girl Imelda Staunton on the set of the hotlyanticipated Downton Abbey film.
The pair were joined by cast veterans Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery, filming militarythemed scenes in Bath.
Bonneville, 54, who plays Lord Grantham, was joined by another newcomer, actress Geraldine James, 68.
Meanwhile, Staunton’s real-life husband Jim Carter reprises his role as butler Charles Carson and Laura Carmichael returns as Lady Elizabeth Crawley.
The scenes also featured a stunning household cavalry performing a procession.
The big-screen adaptation’s director is Brian Percival, who was behind several episodes of the ITV period drama which ran from 2010 to 2015.
Its finale on Christmas Day 2015 was watched by almost 11 million viewers.
While the film plot is a closely-guarded secret, the script has been penned by show creator Julian Fellowes.
Producer Gareth Neame said: “Julian’s script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival’s hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen.”
The movie is due for release on September 13 next year.
