‘Downton Abbey’ season 6: Laura Carmichael already sets herself up with post-show role

It appears like Laura Carmichael is not going to have to worry about whether or not she is going to be able to find work following her time on “Downton Abbey.” We now have confirmation on her next gig!

Sources confirm that Carmichael has been cast as Maddy Stevenson in the upcoming ITV crime series “Marcella.” Anna Friel (“Pushing Daisies,” “American Odyssey”) is set to play the title role, a woman who dives into a hard-hitting police investigation. This is a show that continues the popularity of crime shows in Britain, which has increased in recent years thanks to shows like “Happy Valley” and “The Fall.”

Not only this, but this series also is being written by Hans Rosenfeldt, the prolific talent who helped to make the original versions of “The Killing” and “The Bridge” into massive hits.

For the most part, we feel like most of the main cast of “Downton Abbey” has already made the effort to ensure that they stay rather busy. Michelle Dockery may be heading over to America for a new series, while Joanne Froggatt has a new TV project coming, Hugh Bonneville remains one of the busiest people out there, and many actors now have American agents.

One thing that we are particularly still interested in is the status of “The Gilded Age,” the proposed new series from Julian Fellowes. Little has been reported about it in years, but if the show comes to America, could some former “Downton Abbey” cast members sign up? We have to think that this is at least something that could happen.