Lily James Won't Return for 'Downton Abbey' Movie - Here's the Reason Why

Lily James will not be reprising her role of Lady Rose MacClare for the Downton Abbey movie!

The 29-year-old actress confirmed the news herself in a new interview.

“I spoke to Laura [Carmichael] not long ago and was texting Michelle [Dockery] about Love Island and it’s going to be really exciting. And the whole gang is coming back,” Lily told People. She said it wasn’t her busy schedule that is causing her character to miss the reunion.

“My character Rose moved off to New York, so it would be farfetched to bring her back,” she continued. “I would have loved to have come back for a scene, but for a movie it can’t be like a Christmas special and it needs to be a focused storyline. There was no space for Rose.”

It was announced earlier this week that the Downton Abbey movie is officially in the works with the original cast set to return.