Lily James has confirmed she's returning to 'Downton Abbey' for the Christmas special.

Lily James

Lily James

The 26-year-old actress - who plays Lady Rose Aldridge in the period drama - has revealed her character is set to return for the last ever episode after being absent from the sixth and final series.

She said: "It was amazing going back after a break. You are just totally re-inspired by the wonder of it, that grand house against grey skies and all the friends you haven't seen in so long."

Lady Rose - who is the great-niece of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith) - left the hit show during the 2014 Christmas special after leaving England for New York with her new husband Atticus Aldridge.

Lily - who has since gone on to star in 'Cinderella' - told Harper's Bazaar magazine: "I have such happy, positive memories and a sense of accomplishment about being on the show.

"I don't know if I'd be sitting here if it weren't for 'Downton'. It would have all been very different."

Lily's confession comes after Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) teased that Lady Rose might be expecting a baby when she returns.

Speaking in a previous episode of 'Downton', she said: "I think she could be pregnant."

The sixth and final series of 'Downton Abbey' concludes on Sunday November 8 at 9pm on ITV before returning for the Christmas special.