Could season 6 be “Downton Abbey’s” last? The folks at the “The Daily Mirror” and “People” magazine are saying it's so.

Those publications are reporting that season 6, which is scheduled to begin filming in February, will be the Masterpiece drama’s last hoorah.

The “Mirror” sites an anonymous source as saying that “it’s an open secret that Downton is ending this year.”

ITV, the U.K. broadcaster of the drama, has not confirmed these reports. In past interviews, producer Gareth Neame has said the popular show could run for 10 years. Plus there have been whispers of a “Downton” movie.

But actor contracts are set to expire at the end of season 6 and sources say they will need to be renegotiated at much higher rates.

Hints That “Downton” Could Be Ending Soon

There are not so subtle hints that the upstairs/downstairs saga may draw to a close after its sixth season.

NBC Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt told critics at the winter Television Critics Association press tour that Julian Fellowes is finally diving into writing “The Gilded Age”, the much anticipated “Downton Abbeyesque” drama about American tycoons of the 1880s.

Fellowes has said he can't write and produce both shows. The good news is that he does not rule out the possibility of importing “Downton” cast members to the NBC show.

The cast members are hot and in demand. “People” and “The Mirror” mentioned that casting directors circled the “Downton” stars when they were in town for the SAG Awards.

The show has opened doors for them in Hollywood. Hugh Bonneville recently starred in the movie “Paddington” and made a guest appearance on the tv show “Galavant”. (Sophie McShera appeared on the show too.) 

Lily James is starring in the live action Disney movie “Cinderella”.

While they can squeeze in another project during their downtime, it makes for a grueling schedule as “Downton” can take six to seven months to film. Not being tied to the show puts them in a better position snag high profile and challenging roles.

That is why Dan Stevens - the most notorious “Downton” alum - left when he did. Since his departure, he's appeared in roughly four Hollywood movies, voiced TV shows and books on tape and has additional film projects in the pipeline.

Do you think season six spells the end of “Downton Abbey”? Sound off in the comments below.