Mr Carson better be ready for the new trainees, Matt Milne (War Horse) has already been confirmed as a new footman named Alfred and yesterday Digital Spy reported that Ed Spellers (Eragon) will play a footman named Jimmy, the second new footman in the series.

The 23-year-old is currently starring in horror comedy Love Bite and previously featured in Echo Beach.

Spellers’s Downton Abbey casting follows the announcement last month that Cara Theobald will play a new kitchen maid named Ivy and Lucille Sharp will be Miss Reid – Lady Cora’s mother Martha (Shirley MacLaine) lady’s maid .

So many new faces! We can’t wait for it.

Downton Abbey is expected to air in UK on ITV later this year.