Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey series four has started shooting and the first pictures from the set feature the cast filming the funeral of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens).

Matthew was dramatically killed off in the Christmas special episode after actor Stevens decided to quit the period drama.

The first pictures from series four show Dame Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggatt and Brendan Coyle dressed in black to mourn the loss of Lady Mary's (Michelle Dockery) husband.

There is also a snap of Matthew's headstone in the graveyard.

http://i2.cdnds.net/13/09/618x458/uk...-filming-1.jpg



Downton Abbey producer Gareth Neame recently revealed that he expected Mary to form a "more mature" relationship with a new male character in future episodes.

"She's an eligible young widow. So we shall see," he said.

http://i1.cdnds.net/13/09/300x225/uk...-filming-6.jpg
© Rex Features / Joan Wakeham
Matthew Crawley's headstone

Meanwhile, recent UK tabloid reports have suggested that the fourth series may feature the first black character on the show and that there may be a race relations storyline.

Downton Abbey series four will air in the autumn on ITV. It will air in the US on PBS in 2014.

Siobhan Finneran is the latest star to confirm that they are leaving Downton Abbey.

Speaking at the launch of BBC One's second series of The Syndicate, Finneran revealed that she would not be returning as scheming maid Miss O'Brien.

http://i1.cdnds.net/12/38/300x225/uk..._s03_e02_1.jpg
© ITV
Siobhan Finneran as O'Brien


A rep for the ITV series has confirmed the departure, but said that the character would not be killed off and could potentially return.

Jessica Brown Findlay and Dan Stevens departed the hit period drama during its recent third series.

Julian Fellowes's show has just started filming series four and early pictures from the set feature the characters in mourning for Stevens's character Matthew Crawley, who was dramatically killed off in the 2012 Christmas special.

Tom Cullen has joined the cast of the fourth series of Downton Abbey.

According to TV Line, the Welsh actor will act as a new love interest for Lady Mary, after her husband Matthew Crawley was seemingly killed during the series's 2012 Christmas special.

http://i2.cdnds.net/13/09/618x600/to...nton-abbey.jpg
© WENN
Tom Cullen

Cullen will play Lord Gillingham, an old friend of the Crawley family.

Dame Harriet Walters will also appear during the new run playing an old friend of Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess, while former EastEnders star Nigel Harman will also join as a visiting valet named Green.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...lOu8HOiVOs27zS

Earlier today (March 2) Siobhan Finneran announced that she is quitting her role as scheming maid Miss O'Brien in the show.

Jessica Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil, and Matthew Crawley actor Dan Stevens also left the show during its third series.

Quote:

---

Nigel Harman will also join as a visiting valet named Green

---

:cheer::heart::)

I hate though that they are giving Mary another love interest so soon but I guess they know that the romance factor is a big part for their audience

I think it's gone a bit to romantic, it's sad that siobhan finneran is not returning, she was fantastic. She played the nasty part really well. I think she is a great actress though. Love her in everything she's in.

The fourth series of Downton Abbey started filming last week and rumours and official updates about cast exits and cast newcomers have started circulating online.

Digital Spy wants to calm your nerves and keep you up to date on the comings and goings at Downton, so keep reading for our list of confirmed exits, new faces and returning old favourites.

Siobhan Finneran: The scheming lady's maid Sarah O'Brien will not be back in series four. Fans of O'Brien can cling onto the news that she will not be killed off and that the door is open for her to return at a later date.

Dan Stevens: It wasn't a bad dream. There is no miracle cure. This is not a drill. Dan Stevens's Matthew Crawley really was a goner in the Christmas episode and Lady Mary is going to be wearing a lot of black and open to new love interests in series four.

http://i2.cdnds.net/13/09/300x225/to...nton-abbey.jpg
© WENN
Tom Cullen
http://i2.cdnds.net/11/31/showbiz_nigel_harman.jpg
© PA Images / Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Nigel Harman


In!
Tom Cullen: One man who may raise a smile for Lady Mary is old Grantham family friend Lord Gillingham, played by the dashing Mr Cullen. He will apparently make his debut on the show at a party organised to lift Mary's spirits.

In!
Nigel Harman: The ex-EastEnders star will be joining the fun and games downstairs at the Abbey, cast as a "charismatic" new valet named Green. How will he fit in with Carson, Bates and Thomas? You'll have to wait and see.

http://i2.cdnds.net/13/02/300x225/us...an-ovenden.jpg
© Rex Features / David Fisher
Julian Ovenden
http://i1.cdnds.net/13/10/300x225/uk...-te-kanawa.jpg
© PA Images / Mark J. Terrill/AP
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa


In!
Julian Ovenden: Another possible new suitor for Mary! Very little has been revealed about the actor's role, we're merely told that he will play "dashing aristocrat" Charles Blake.

In!
Kiri Te Kanawa: A rare TV appearance from the New Zealand-born soprano, whom will give a special performance at a Downton party.

Returning!
Maggie Smith: Fear not, fans of a good old-fashioned zinger from the Dowager Countess, Dame Maggie has already been seen on set filming the first few scenes for series four - hurrah!

Returning!
Shirley MacLaine: Another hurrah! The veteran actress will reprise her role as Martha Levinson for the fourth series. Fingers crossed it's for more than a cameo.

http://i1.cdnds.net/13/10/300x225/uktv-joanna-david.jpg
© Rex Features / David Hartley
Joanna David
http://i2.cdnds.net/13/10/300x225/uk...iet-walter.jpg
© Rex Features / Alan Simpson
Harriet Walter


In!
Harriet Walter: Another sparring partner for Dame Maggie's Dowager. Harriet will play Lady Shackleton, an "old school chum" of the Dowager. She is apparently a "force to be reckoned with" who can go toe to toe with her old friend. Let the explosions commence!

In!
Joanna David: The mother of Emilia Fox is cast as another new guest in Downton - the Duchess of Yeovil.

Downton Abbey returns in the autumn on ITV. The fourth run will air in the US on PBS in early 2014.

Downton Abbey star Allen Leech has ruled out a romance between Branson and Lady Mary.

Series three of the hit period drama saw Branson (Leech) lose his wife Lady Sybil, while Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) found herself widowed in the show's 2012 Christmas special.

http://i2.cdnds.net/12/43/618x334/tv...ey_s3ep7_1.jpg
© ITV


"While it would be great for drama, I don't think it would be right for those two [to get together]," the actor told TV Guide.

"As much as they respect each other, they come from very different worlds."

Welsh actor Tom Cullen was recently cast on Downton Abbey - he will appear in the show's fourth series as Lord Gillingham, a potential new love interest for Mary.

Also joining the cast are former EastEnders star Nigel Harman and The Royal actor Julian Ovenden.

Downton Abbey will return to ITV1 in autumn 2013.

Jessica Brown Findlay has admitted that she was "terrified" to leave Downton Abbey.

Brown Findlay's character Lady Sybil was killed off in the hit period drama's third series, after the star opted not to renew her contract.

"I didn't want to fall into my comfort zone too much," she told the Radio Times. "I was unsure about signing away another year. Leaving me terrified, and that's what made me want to do it."

The 23-year-old actress will next be seen in Channel 4's Labyrinth, and was also linked to a role in Captain America movie sequel The Winter Soldier.

"Being afraid and going into the unknown excites me, and what scared me more was to keep going [on Downton] and then one day discover it was all I could do and wish I had pushed myself more," she explained. "I'd prefer to fail and fall flat on my face."

Downton Abbey - which also saw star Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) depart at Christmas - will return to ITV for a fourth series later this year.

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville has revealed that he would consider a move to EastEnders if the period drama came to an end.

The actor, famous for his role as the Earl of Grantham, made a brief cameo appearance in the BBC One soap back in 1995 when he played a headmaster for a single episode.

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: "I might go back. I am a jobbing actor and I will take whatever comes along, thank you very much. I would never say never.

"The actors who work in soaps are the hardest-working actors. The amount of material they have to learn is so much. It's phenomenal."

Bonneville's comments come after Downton writer Julian Fellowes cast doubt over the show's future after revealing he is penning a new drama series called The Gilded Age, which he hopes will be picked up by American network NBC.

"I honestly don't know how long Julian can go on with Downton – I don't know if there will be a fifth series," Bonneville added.

"I am sure the money men would like it to go on forever and ever because it does sell extremely well around the world.

"I hope Julian quits while he is ahead but he is a wise soul."

A fourth series of Downton Abbey was recently announced.

Dan Stevens aka Matthew really has changed

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/osc...s-makeover.jpg