Joanne Froggatt reveals what she kept from the set of Downton Abbey

Joanne Froggatt has revealed what she took home from the set of thefinalDownton Abbey film. The actress, 45, starred as Anna Bates in theITV period drama franchise from 2010 until 2015. After she reprised the role in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, she explained that she made a special request to keep one item of her costume that was made specially for her halfway through shooting.

She said: "I asked our costume designer if I could keep Anna's shoes, because they were made for me in season three, and I just love those shoes."

The former Coronation Street actress, who starred in all 52 episodes of the series and also appeared in the first two film spin-offs as well as its most recent one, explained that the footwear is 'comfortable' and she would use her shoes to get into character as the servant.

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During a chat with Digital Spy, she added: "They're comfortable. I've spent hours and hours and hours standing in those shoes and that was very much like I put my shoes on and I was like, 'There she is, she's back'. So yeah, I've kept Anna's shoes."

Meanwhile, her co-star Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith Pelham, revealed that she managed to keep hold of a 'small purse' that she used when filming on the last day at The Ritz. Speaking of how she managed to bag the item for herself, she joked: "We had been doing a night shoot so everyone was exhausted when I asked the question, so I do think I got it when everyone was a bit tired and probably not thinking straight because it's not normal to take your costume home, but I treasure that."

Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Talbot,was gifted the 'little [toy] dog' that appeared on screen in the second series of the programme and admitted that it is a 'really cute' souvenir to have as a memory of her time on the show.

Even though the new film was billed as the finale to the whole franchise, fans were recently given hope that more could be on the cards, as writer Julian Fellowes admitted when quizzed on the possibility of any spin-offs, that delving deeper into characters' various facets can only truly be achieved through a television series.

He elaborated: "When you think of somebody like Thomas (Rob James-Collier), his evolution was very moving." Thomas Barrow was a homosexual servant who originally appeared vindictive, yet discovered renewed purpose following his encounter with Guy Dexter (Dominic West), reports the Express.

Asked whether Thomas might be considered for his own programme, Fellowes responded: "I think you could make a case for many of them."

He continued: "I like to write characters where the audience changes their mind about them and I hope they did with Thomas."

Nevertheless, he acknowledged having "probably said most of what I've got to say", leaving him uncertain whether such a venture might materialise.

"I don't know...Every time I say 'never' in this business, I find six months later, I'm doing exactly what I said I'd never do," he concluded.

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