With the middle of summer coming up, the cast of Downton Abbey is about to come home for the holidays with news on the Christmas special next season.

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Lesley Nicol, who plays Mrs. Patmore on the series, spoke to the Loose Women cast about the episode, as published by Express on Tuesday. She mentioned something that's really making her joyful, which involves one of the new cast members.

"We're just beginning the Christmas special. I'm under strict orders, you know I am!" Nicol said.

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"Richard E. Grant was so nice, fantastic," she continued. "I was thinking, 'That's a bit fancy isn't it, having Richard E. Grant!' And before I could even think it he came up to Sophie, who plays Daisy, and said: 'Do you mind frightfully if I have a picture?' I was thinking: 'I was thinking exactly the same but didn't dare ask!' So we got some rather good selfies with him."

Grant is set to play Simon Bricker on the British series.

The actress also opened up on what it's like to work with the rest of the cast members, which seems to be going smoothly.

"We're a company of actors and we are a family," Nicol said. "It's lovely to see everyone and we get on. We've got a couple of days where we'll all be together, then there's a lot of Bananagram going on."

Downton Abbey Season 5 is expected to premiere this fall on PBS although the Christmas special will likely air in December.

Tags: Downtown Abbey television PBS