Downton Abbey Success! Show Returns With 9.6 Million Viewers

ITV Pictures

The Christmas special of Downton Abbey last year left us wanting more, and more we got when the hit show returned to our screens last night.

The period drama, which follows the lives of the Grantham family during the 1920s, was welcomed back on our screens as a peak of 9.6 million viewers (with an average of nine million) tuned in to to finally see Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley tie the knot after finally declaring their love for each other and the arrival of Shirley MacLaine and her character Martha Levinson.

Speaking about the wedding scene, Stv.tv reported Michelle Dockery who plays Lady Mary saying recently that she felt like Kate Middleton when she filmed her wedding scene.

Downton Abbey Success! Show Returns With 9.6 Million Viewers

We can't wait to see how Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley adapt to married life! (ITV Pictures)

She said: "It’s an absolutely stunning design. Caroline McCall [Downton Abbey’s series three costume designer] did such an extraordinary job. She’s really talented. She worked with Susannah Buxton [series one and two costume designer] – the master! – for two years so inevitably she’s just as brilliant."

“It’s a truly stunning dress. I'm sure that people will maybe make some comparisons with the Royal wedding," she added.

Recalling the day they filmed the all important wedding scene, Michelle continued:

"The crowds as we arrived at the church and stepped out of the carriage were just amazing, with all these supporting artists cheering us on.”

Admitting that she felt like the Duchess of Cambridge on that day, the actress told the Mirror earlier this year: "I felt a bit like Kate Middleton with all the security, but we didn't want people seeing the dress before the day.

"I'd never worn a wedding dress - I've never filmed an on-screen wedding before. I loved it."

What did you think of Downton Abbey last night? Missed the show and want to know what happened? Check out our review here!

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