Downton Abbey is to come to a close before the end of the year.
Hugh Bonneville as the Earl of Grantham
ITV's popular period drama has now run its course and is set to wrap things up at the conclusion of series six, with Hugh Bonneville to begin work on a new project about 19th century New York.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It's an open secret that 'Downton' is ending this year.
"Some of the actors are keen to let it be known they will be available for work after the summer. Some are interested in the US, where 'Downton' is as popular as it is in the UK."
Agents for some of the show's biggest stars were said to be at last week's Screen Actors Guild Awards, seeking out new work for their clients.
The insider continued: "Joanne Froggatt, Edith Carmichael and Allen Leech were in Los Angeles for the awards last week and there were several meetings about both TV and film roles."
Meanwhile ITV is now hunting for a show that would replace the slot in autumn and have asked independent production companies to pitch for the incoming space.
A television expert claimed: "They are looking for something which is long-running and ambitious and which could appeal to the mass audience in the way that 'Downton' has done."
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