Hot on the heels of the recent revelations about its central focus come the first two photos from Downton Abbey series three.

Along with a shot of the main characters in front of Highclare Castle at dusk (above), there's one of US actress Shirley MacLaine, as Lady Cora's mother Martha Levinson, meeting the staff of Downton...

As well as new cast members MacLaine, Matt Milne, Cara Theobald and Lucille Sharp, Downton's third series will also feature a change of focus and explore the impact of the Irish Troubles on the Crawley family.

Downton Abbey was recently nominated for a staggering 16 Emmy Awards in the States, where the show has become something of a cultural phenomenon.

The new series will be broadcast in the autumn in this country and screen in America next January.