"Downton Abbey" season 6 could be the final season for the beloved series. There have been a string of rumors suggesting that this year could be the last. 

The rumor was sparked by a statement given by actress Dame Maggie Smith, known as the Dowager Countess in the show, which implies that loyal fans may soon have to say goodbye to one of the beloved characters in the series.

"They say this is the last one, and I can't see how it could go on," Smith told Sunday Times. "I mean, I certainly can't keep going. To my knowledge, I must be 110 by now. We're into the late 1920s."  

In an interview with the New York Times, writer and creator Lord Julian Fellowes remained coy about the plans for the series. 

"I don't own 'Downton Abbey' now. NBC Universal [which owns Carnival Films] owns 'Downton Abbey'. So I could walk away, but I wouldn't walk away. It's too much my baby," Fellowes said. "It won't go on forever — I'm not a believer in that. But I can't immediately now tell you where the end will be."  

He also debunked the rumors that he has plans to make a post-World War II storyline. Thus, it provided a hint that the story will really have an end. 

However, according to a report by Unreaity TV, "Downton Abbey" executive producer and director Gareth Neame said that he had asked Fellowes to pass on the writing to another should he decide to leave. 

"Downton Abbey" will start filming this spring. Fellowes teased that Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes will encounter the some problems in the season finale.