Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville has teased the franchise's future after the final film aired last year.

The beloved period drama first aired in 2010, running for six seasons and three films and featuring the likes of Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, and Dame Maggie Smith.

The late Harry Potter legend was paid tribute to in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which aired last year, though Hugh has now teased that another project could still emerge.

The Paddington actor ruled out any involvement, however, telling Saga magazine: "I wouldn't be surprised if they make some sort of spin-off, but no, our company has left the building.

"The Grand Finale really was a farewell. As we came towards the end of filming, I would take a look around each set - let's say the library - for the last time, so that I would be able to remember."

He added, "I feel enormous love for Downton. Every single day a message comes through about what it meant to someone, so I'm enormously proud."

The finale wrapped up with an emotional ending, following Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle) as a divorcee and single mother overcoming scandal, with the final scenes showing visions of the family and servants dancing together with Violet Crawley, and the camera resting on a portrait of Dame Maggie as the Dowager Countess.

Viewers were left begging for more, with one writing: "I've always said I'd like a sequel to the show around WWII time with George as the main, so we can see the kids more grown up! (I would also love a prequel)."

Another said, "I would love more too, but I want a better written movie than what we've been given," while a third added, "I would watch pretty much anything they put out."

Creator Julian Fellowes has admitted the door isn't closed to another film or spin-off, previously telling Entertainment Weekly: "That's a possibility. I've learned never to say never anymore, because you have to take it back."

He added that he was "not against the idea of revisiting Downton, but it would have to be in a different period of history so that their problems were different and they were facing different issues".

He said: "On that basis, I don't see why not, but we'll have to see what happens."

Meanwhile, producer Gareth Neame had hinted that it may not be the end, saying: "The camera will pull away and we'll have our last, last moment with those characters, but that's not necessarily the end for Downton Abbey."

Downton Abbey is available to watch on ITVX.