Michelle Dockery is seen for the first time on the set of Downton Abbey movie sequel as she returns as Lady Mary

• The beloved ITV series is being adapted into a second movie following the first's box office success, with the actress, 39, seen on set for the first time 
• Michelle took cautious measures amid the coronavirus pandemic as she wore a clear visor in between filming scenes
• The actress transformed into her character Lady Mary and appeared to be joined by new cast member Hugh Dancy on set  
• It is not known what Hannibal star Hugh's, 45, role will be and he is one of four new cast members 
• Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West have also joined the cast for the sequel 
• The first movie saw beloved characters Robert (Hugh) and Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern) told that they will be visited by the King and Queen 

Michelle Dockery transformed into her character Lady Mary on Monday as filming for the Downton Abbey movie sequel got underway in the town of Harwich, in Essex.   

The beloved ITV  series is being adapted into a second movie following the first's box office success, with the actress, 39, seen on set for the first time.

Michelle took cautious measures amid the coronavirus pandemic as she wore a clear visor in between filming scenes.  

The actress appeared to be joined by new cast member Hugh Dancy on set as they shot scenes together. 

Michelle transformed into her character Lady Mary as she wore a long purple midi skirt with a matching coloured patterned top.

Adding some elegant touches, the actress layered the look with a dusty pink longline coat, navy gloves and a pearl necklace.

Michelle wore her brunette locks into a cropped curly hairdo, she added a cobalt blue hat which added a pop of colour.  

Elsewhere Hannibal star Hugh, 45, looked dapper in a smart period costume which consisted of grey pinstripe trousers and a beige tailored coat. 

It is not known what his role will be and he is one of four new cast members as Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West have also joined the cast for the sequel.

Although some scenes are filmed in studios and at different locations, the cast and crew spend much of their time at Highclere Castle - which is the home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnavaron, whose family have lived there since 1679. 

Just last month, film trucks and catering marquees were seen erected in the sprawling grounds as filming got underway.      

Little is known about the upcoming movie and it is expected to be released at Christmas. 

The Countess of Carnarvon has welcomed the decision to film the sequel at Highclere, explaining that even though it provides her with plenty of extra work, the hustle and bustle bring the castle 'alive'. 

She told The Daily Mail that when filming was taking place — from February to June for each of the six series of Downton and an additional one-off two months for the film — she was flat out. 

Constantly in the wings, showing crew how to move furniture — 'you take a girl in your arms and a chair by its bottom' — and reminding people to wipe their feet and respect the carpets. 

Yet, despite all the palaver, Lady Carnarvon is thrilled. 'We all got very used to each other. We had a good routine. It was like a new term at school — "here they come!"

'After all, a house like this is used to being busy, to being full of life. 'It comes alive with people and without them things go wrong.'

A statement on the Castle website reads: 'We are thrilled to be welcoming Downton Abbey back to Highclere again. Julian and the wonderful cast and crew became so much part of our lives here at Highclere and we look forward to our next adventure with them.'  

On filming days the Castle will be closed to the public. However all the tours of the Castle and gardens already scheduled will still take place. 

The new images have been released after star Hugh Bonneville revealed filming was officially underway last month. Sharing a tweet on set, he stated: 'Good to be back'.  

Producer Gareth Neame said: 'After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be reunited with the beloved characters.'

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said: 'There's no place like home for the holidays, and we can't imagine a better gift than getting to reunite with Julian, Gareth, and the entire family in 2021 to bring the Crawleys back home for their fans.'

In February, Hugh revealed he'd seen a script for a Downton Abbey film sequel, saying it's likely to happen once Covid is 'under control in a sensible way'. 

The star, who plays Lord Grantham in the movie and previous series of the hit period drama, chatted about plans for another film on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. 

He told the BBC Radio 2 show: 'Here's the deal, if everybody who is offered a vaccine takes a vaccine, we can make a movie, we will make a movie.' 

The actor, who has acted as a volunteer marshal at a COVID vaccination centre, told Zoe he's seen a script for the film and added: 'The planets are circling. They are beginning to get into alignment.

'There is a thing called coronavirus knocking around and until that is under control in a sensible way, we are not going to be able to get all those ducks in a row.'

He added: 'But there is certainly the intention to do it. We would love to do it. We are desperate to do it.'

Hugh also said that he thinks audiences would 'enjoy' another Downton movie after the 'mess we have been through' in the past year.   

The Downton Abbey movie saw beloved characters Robert (Hugh) and Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern) told that they will be visited by the King and Queen and the estate have to prepare for the royal visit.

However the family have to deal with a number of set backs and problems along the way including a suspected assassin attempt. 

Cast members including Matthew Goode, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Dame Maggie Smith all returned for the film. 

The Daily Mail revealed that Maggie Smith, who plays Violet Crawley, and French actress Nathalie Baye will appear together in Downton 2.

Downton 2 will be the Dowager Countess of Grantham's last hurrah. The theatrical dame has been delighting Downton fans since the series, created by Julian Fellowes, launched on ITV back in 2010.

In the new Downton film, Ms Baye will play an old friend of Violet's who comes to visit her. Of course, the countess will be surrounded, as usual, by her family — including Hugh's Lord Grantham and Elizabeth McGovern as his wife Cora. 

Michelle Dockery's Lady Mary and husband Henry (Matthew Goode) will be centre stage, too; along with her sister, Lady Edith, played by Laura Carmichael.