'Downton Abbey' star Laura Carmichael admitted it was "very strange" leaving the castle.

Laura Carmichael

Laura Carmichael

The 29-year-old actress who plays Lady Edith in the ITV period drama felt like she was leaving her home behind because after six years the set of Highclere Castle felt like "home" to her.

She said: "It was very strange saying goodbye to the castle.

"It felt like, in a split second, it wasn't our home anymore. And, of course, it was never our home. It was the Highclere Castle. But it felt like it for over six years."

The blonde beauty said her time on the show is full of "fond memories and that all of the cast had a "big cry" when the final cut was over.

She told the Mirror newspaper: "And as soon as they said 'cut', you realised it was just pretend. It's full of so many fond memories and it was very emotional. We had a big cry."

Meanwhile, Michelle Dockery - who plays Lady Mary hinted that her character's final moments are "very unexpected" and a "great arc storyline" will unfold.

She added: "Her journey in this series, it was very unexpected. She goes through a whole other ordeal.

"Just when I thought it was kind of coming to an end and wrapping up for Mary, Julian [Fellowes] kind of threw a cat among the pigeons.

"So there is a really great arc storyline in this series. It's something I wasn't expecting and it's really clever what he does."

The final episode will be a Christmas day special on ITV1.