Jim Carter believes it is "the right time" for 'Downton Abbey' to end.

Jim Carter

Jim Carter

The 66-year-old star, who has played the butler Mr. Carson in the ITV period drama since it started in 2010, has confessed he thinks the producers are right for deciding to bring it to an end after the upcoming sixth series and 2015 Christmas special.

He said: "It's probably the right time - everything has to come to an end, but we shall miss it enormously.

"I shall miss the fact that it's dictated my life for the last six years, but then there's always the challenge of doing something new so that's alright, I'll take it in my stride."

The 'Golden Compass' actor is not the only star of the show who agrees with the decision to call it a day, however.

Allan Leech - who left his role as Tom Branson last year - shared: "I think we all knew for a while it was going to end and there is a sense of sadness, but also a sense of achievement about what we've done with the show. It's the right time for it to finish."

Meanwhile, Samantha Bond - who plays Lady Rosamund - has revealed she's trying to make the most of filming the final series by soaking up every moment.

She's reported by MailOnline as saying: "You know you're coming to the end of something so you grasp everything, each moment, to enjoy and savour."

And Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith Crawley, admits she's the member of cast who has shed the most tears since the announcement, adding: "We were asked who was going to cry the most and everyone said me. I would say me too, I'm the weak one."