“Downtown Abbey” creator hints at prospects of a fourth season

The lords, ladies and servants of “Downton Abbey” are almost set to return again to the small screen for a fourth season. Although it has not been officially confirmed yet, show creator Julian Fellowes is confident that fans can expect to see the story continue into a fourth season.

"We are being very sort of coy about it," Fellowes said. "We don't know. We haven't had a commission. But I think it would be pretty odd if there wasn't."

With the impressive track record that “Downton Abbey” has displayed so far, it is not a stretch to agree with Fellowes. The Post-Edwardian Era show has received outstanding recognition across the board, including being recognized by Guinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed English-language television show of 2011, receiving the most nominations for a television series in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards (27 in total), and being the most watched and most successful British costume drama since the 1980’s.

There is hope that there will be an official confirmation of the fourth season within the next few days. Fellowes also spoke out to clear up some rumours floating about around the fate of certain characters in this year’s Christmas Special. When confronted with the gossip that Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham as played by Dame Maggie Smith, would die in the Christmas episode he responded “I don’t like to give away storylines about the special or any other episode. But, the dowager is not going to die”. This rumour likely stemmed from the recent health scare which sent Dame Maggie Smith to the hospital and her reluctance in the past to sign contracts for the new seasons.

Whatever the fates of the residents of Downton, viewers around the world will certainly be glad to join the characters again for another season of scandal, intrigue and drama. Until then, fans have the Christmas Special to look forward to on December 25^th to feed their curiosity about what will happen next!