ITV has announced today that Patricia Hodge will join the cast of Downton Abbey for the period drama’s series finale.

The show’s last ever episode will air on Christmas Day on ITV, following eight episodes this autumn.

Hodge is best known for her role as Penny in BBC One’s sitcom Miranda.

ITV officially announced in March that Downton Abbey would end later this year and a press launch for Season 6 took place today at the May Fair hotel in London.

> Buy Season 5 on DVD on Amazon.

Who do you think Patricia Hodge will be playing? Let us know below…