ITV has released a new promotional photo for this year’s Downton Abbey Christmas special.

Filmed at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, the two-hour episode rejoins the family in the early autumn of 1924 and sees New Tricks star Alun Armstrong join the cast as Stowell, the Sinderbys’ butler.

Jane Lapotaire (Blind Justice) also joins as Princess Irina, wife of Prince Kuragin, while James Faulkner and Penny Downie return as Lord and Lady Sinderby, along with Michael Fox as footman Andy.

Season 5 concluded earlier this month and was watched by an average of 10.4 million viewers.

> Buy the complete Season 1-5 boxset on Amazon.

Season 6 will begin filming in early 2015.

Are you looking forward to the Christmas special? Let us know below…