A brief video preview and a slew of new photos have been released for Downton Abbey‘s upcoming Christmas special, which will conclude the show’s third season. Potential spoilers ahead.
The wait for Downton Abbey‘s special Christmas episode is winding down (albeit slowly!) but there are a few more morsels for fans to chew on in the meantime. First, check out this short promo (brimming with Anna-and-Bates-y goodness) from ITV.
And several new stills have appeared online, previewing vintage sports and faces both new and old.
[scrollGallery id=1044 start=0 autoScroll=false height=400 thumbsdown=true]
Ah, Scotland! Kilts, shooting, posing… and oh, Lady Rose. What a pleasure.
As for other newish-to-new faces, that unfamiliar woman in the hat has been identified as new maid Edna (Downton really runs through its female help, doesn’t it?) who will allegedly set her sights on a certain former chauffeur . (Is it too much to hope that she fails extravagantly?)
But perhaps most interesting is the, shall we say, strategic positioning of Lady Mary’s hand across her stomach. Is it just us, or is that a blazoned sign that the future Countess of Grantham will indeed be bringing another Crawley into the world?
ITV’s official summary is mum on that subject, but it does give up a few bits of information:
The family receive a warm welcome at Duneagle Castle, visiting Rose and her parents in the Highlands. But there is no disguising the tensions between their hosts … Carson is determined to keep the servants back at Downton working hard, but with a country fair coming up, will some be tempted to push their luck? … Could romance be on the cards for Mrs Patmore?
It’s also worth keeping in mind that ITV has previously dropped hints that all may not be fun and games for the Crawleys and their familiars.
“As ever, Downton will take its audience through a whole range of emotions,” said ITV’s Laura Mackie. “All of life’s experiences will feature in this episode… best have the tissues ready.”
Speculation is heavy that the less-than-happiness in question may center around the Abbey’s embattled heir, Matthew, as actor Dan Stevens still does not seem to have renewed his contract to appear in the show’s fourth series. All this is speculative, however; we’re confident that Julian Fellowes has plenty of ways to make us sniffle come Christmas.
Downton Abbey‘s Christmas special will air on Dec. 25 at 8:45 p.m. on ITV.
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.