Joanne Froggatt's Real-Life Pregnancy Inspires Downton Abbey Twist!

DOWNTON ABBEY STAR JOANNE FROGGATT'S SECRET BABY BOMBSHELL: ACTRESS REVEALS SHE WAS PREGNANT DURING FILMING OF FINAL MOVIE AND WRITER JULIAN FELLOWES HAD TO RUSH TO CHANGE THE SCRIPT!

In a shocking twist that will leave fans of the hit period drama Downton Abbey gagging, it's been revealed that actress Joanne Froggatt was pregnant during filming of the final movie. And in a move that's got everyone talking, writer Julian Fellowes hastily rewrote the script to include her character Anna Bates' pregnancy!

The 45-year-old actress, who has been a mainstay of the show since its inception, confirmed the news in an exclusive interview with Radio Times, revealing that she had already given birth to her second child by the time filming wrapped. "It's all me, I'm actually pregnant," Froggatt said with a sly smile. "Anna is expecting her second child, and Julian kindly wrote it into our storyline because at this stage I'm quite obvious, so it made sense."

But what's got everyone really talking is that Fellowes was forced to change the script at short notice to include Anna Bates' pregnancy. And insiders claim it was a clever move by the writer, who wanted to give fans a happy ending for one of the show's most beloved couples.

"It was lovely to come back and do one more movie," Froggatt gushed about reprising her role as Anna Bates in the final Downton Abbey film. "Gareth Neame [the producer] always had the idea of a trilogy of movies, he was after the Downton legacy." And it looks like Fellowes' last-minute script change has been a masterstroke, with fans going wild for the sweet and sentimental ending.

But Froggatt's life hasn't all been smooth sailing. The actress recently revealed that she checked into a £1,500 transcendental meditation retreat in Australia following her marriage split from James Cannon in 2020. And it seems the experience was nothing short of life-changing. "It blew my mind," Froggatt gushed about the retreat, where she met a group of strangers and shared intimate moments over Ayurvedic food.

"I went on my own, but Byron Bay is just the most stunning place anyway – it's so beautiful," Froggatt raved about her time at Soma, a boutique wellness getaway that features a geodesic dome, an outdoor cinema, a swimming pool, and a fire pit. "It was an incredible experience, not only learning the meditation technique, but also bonding with my fellow retreat-goers."

And it seems Froggatt's newfound love of meditation has even inspired her to start a new chapter in her life – one that involves a new baby and a new partner. The actress recently welcomed a six-month-old daughter with personal trainer Mark Turner, marking the beginning of a new era for the Downton Abbey star.

But what about the final farewell? Froggatt's been waxing poetic about the experience of filming the last Downton Abbey movie, saying: "Everything has to come to an end at some point. We've had so many goodbyes – it was the end of the series, then the end of the first film, then the second film, but this really is the final goodbye."

And with that comes a sense of closure for fans who have grown to love the show's beloved characters over the years. So what did Froggatt and her co-stars Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, and Harry Hadden-Paton get up to during filming? Did they shed any tears or throw any final tantrums?

As it turns out, Froggatt has revealed that she was feeling "nervous" about the experience of filming the final movie. But it seems Fellowes' script changes, including Anna Bates' pregnancy, brought a sense of joy and closure to the proceedings.

And in case you're wondering, what's next for the Downton Abbey cast? Froggatt hinted that she's "looking forward" to new projects, while her co-stars have been spotted working on other TV shows. One thing's for sure – fans will be eagerly anticipating their next move!

The Scholary Note: The final Downton Abbey movie, titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, premiered in London's Leicester Square last week and has been making waves with its sentimental ending and stunning performances from the cast. And it seems Joanne Froggatt's pregnancy bombshell has only added to the show's magic.

For more on Joanne Froggatt's pregnancy and her experiences at the Downton Abbey retreat, check out our exclusive interview in this week's Radio Times!