Although the U.K. gets to watch "Downton Abbey" right now, U.S. audiences will not be able to visit Downton until January. But at least there is some solace as fans eagerly await season four. Jim Carter, who plays Mr. Carson on "Downton," told TVLine at the Emmys red carpet that season four will (thankfully!) not include any more deaths.
"I don't think there are any deaths this season," Carter said. "You can settle back and relax - there are going to be no funerals this year."
This comes as welcome news after the tragic deaths of both Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) and Sybil Grantham (Jessica Brown Findlay) last season.
Although there will not be any more deaths this season, the season opener will not start off in a happy place. The season will kick off in 1922, about six months after last season's finale. The premiere episode will focus heavily on the death of Matthew and Lady Mary's (Michelle Dockery) subsequent mourning. Although the first episode will be somber, the rest of the season will be markedly more upbeat.
Mary will eventually try to move on, and will have a number of potential suitors. Tom Cullen will play one of Mary's potential suitors, Lord Gillingham. Julian Ovenden will play her other potential love match, aristocrat Charles Blake.
While Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Bates (Brendan Coyle) seem happy together in their new cottage, a new character will come along who may disrupt their happiness. "EastEnders'" Nigel Harman has joined the cast as a visiting valet and charismatic "bad boy" who may cause trouble in Anna and Bates' marriage.
There will be many other new characters this season as well. Paul Giamatti is joining that cast as playboy Harold Levinson, Cora's brother.
Additionally, Daisy Lewis will play Sarah Bunting, the governess for widowed Branson's (Allen Leech) daughter, Sybil. It is rumored that she will end up getting romantically entangled with Tom, even though he is still grieving his beloved Sybil.
This season will also feature some roaring '20s jazz numbers and even a Downton house party (rather, a gigantic estate party). The festivities will include American jazz singer Jack Ross played by Gary Carr. Carr will be the show's first black character. In one scene, Jack will be seen on a boat with impulsive Lady Rose (Lily James), meaning there could be a potential love connection between the two.
Season four of "Downton" debuts on Sunday, January 5, 2014 on PBS.
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