Shirley MacLaine joins Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is back for a third season which sees the Oscar-winner Shirley MacLaine star as the mother of Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham.

Other new characters are introduced including new footman Alfred, played by Matt Milne, who is trying to meet Mr Carson's high standards downstairs.

Cast members Siobhan Finneran and Sophie McShera who play Sarah O'Brien and Daisy Robinson told BBC Breakfast that the Downton cast "smell" on set because the period costumes are difficult to keep clean.

Downton Abbey returns to ITV1 on Sunday at 9pm.