Sue Johnston has joined the cast for series 5 of Downton Abbey ITV has announced.
The popular actress known for her roles in The Royle Family, Waking The Dead and Coronation Street will join the cast as Denker, Ladyās Maid to Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith).
Johnstonās casting comes following the news that Richard E. Grant, Anna Chancellor and Rade Sherbedgia will guest star in the new series. Dame Harriet Walter and Peter Egan will reprise their roles as Lady Shackleton and Lord Flintshire respectively.
The fourth series of Downton Abbey saw the strongest ever series launch with 12 million viewers tuning in. In the US the show also hit new record highs averaging 15 million viewers.
Downton Abbey will return this autumn and again at Christmas for a feature length episode.