After months of speculation, it has been confirmed that Season 6 will be the last for the hit British costume drama "Downton Abbey." Fans had been speculating whether the upcoming season would be the final season as more cast members left the show.

ITV and Carnival Films announced on Thursday that Season 6, set to be released in the U.K. later this year, will be last of "Downton Abbey," according to a press release. The show won countless awards since it aired for the first time in 2010 and has been one of the most popular British dramas in television history, drawing an average 11 million viewers over the course of the past five seasons.

"The Downton journey has been amazing for everyone aboard. People ask if we knew what was going to happen when we started to make the first series and the answer is that, of course we had no idea," said writer, creator, and executive producer Julian Fellowes.

"Exactly why the series had such an impact and reached so many people around the world, all nationalities, all ages, all types, I cannot begin to explain. But I do know how grateful we are to have been allowed this unique experience. I suspect the show will always be a principal marker in most of our careers as we set out from here, and if so, I consider that a blessing and a compliment."

Earlier this month it had been reported Fellowes had said he would stop answering questions about when "Downton Abbey" would end. After Lily James (Lady Rose) and Allen Leech (Tom Branson) left at the end of season five some wondered whether the series would go on.

Many of the actors' contracts lasted only until the end of Season 6 and Dame Maggie Smith (the Dowager Countess) famously said Season 6 would be her last. However, the show reached millions in 250 territories worldwide and was extremely popular.

"Millions of people around the world have followed the journey of the Crawley family and those who serve them for the last five years. Inevitably there comes a time when all shows should end and 'Downton' is no exception," explained executive producer Gareth Neame.

"We wanted to close the doors of 'Downton Abbey' when it felt right and natural for the storylines to come together and when the show was still being enjoyed so much by its fans. We can promise a final season full of all the usual drama and intrigue, but with the added excitement of discovering how and where they all end up..."

On Facebook, the show thanked fans for their loyal support these past five years.

Season 6, the final season, is set to return in the fall of 2015 in the U.K. and will air in the U.S. in January on PBS.