Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael lead the Downton Abbey cast at BAFTA tribute event

Michelle Dockery and co-star Laura Carmichael posed for pictures together as they arrived at BAFTA’s special event to honour Downton Abbey.

The actresses, who play Mary and Edith Crawley on the much-loved ITV show, lead the rest of the cast at the Richmond Theatre on Tuesday night.

Rising star Lily James posed on the red carpet in a white dress and towering stilettos, while Daisy Lewis opted for a bold magenta gown.

Hugh Bonneville, who plays patriarch Lord Grantham looked dapper in a black tuxedo, arrived with wife Lulu Williams.

Other cast members who graced the red carpet at the tribute event included Elizabeth McGovern, Myanna Buring, David Robb and Samantha Bond.

The cast and programme makers were honoured with a special award to help celebrate the outstanding global success of the programme.

Filmed for ITV, the entire ceremony is set to air on the channel later in the year to coincide with the last series.

While fans are already beginning to mourn the end of the hugely successful show, there is hope in the form of a potential film.

Gareth Neame, executive producer, recently said: “There's rumour and speculation. I'm not denying anything. I think a Downton movie could be a wonderful thing. But we don't have a script or plan yet.”