The annual Downton Abbey Christmas Special airs this evening on ITV and officially wraps up series 4 of the beloved drama.
The Downton Abbey Christmas Special airs Wednesday, December 25 beginning at 8:30 p.m. GMT in the United Kingdom. We’ve rounded up a synopsis, photos, trailer, and details about how to watch online.
A lengthy synopsis for the 90-minute special reads, “It’s the summer season and as part of Rose’s ‘coming out’ she is to be presented at Buckingham Palace. The family and servants are at Grantham House, their London residence, preparing for the busy social program. Not one to miss such a grand occasion, Cora’s mother, Martha Levinson makes the journey from New York with her playboy son Harold, fresh from his recent brush with the law. Both outspoken and larger-than-life, they make quite an impression amongst certain members of London’s high society, in particular with Lord Aysgarth, played by James Fox.”
It continues, “Isobel finds herself with an admirer while Edith is wrestling with a moral dilemma. Downstairs, Daisy gets an unexpected invitation and Carson treats the staff to a special day out. When the Crawleys are implicated in a scandal that threatens to engulf the monarchy, Robert will go to great lengths to protect the royal family, and his own.”
A trailer offers glimpses into the family’s trip to Buckingham Palace:
In addition to Martha Levinson making a special return to the show, Cora’s brother, played by Paul Giamatti, will make his debut. Photos from the episode show his arrival at Downton:
Watch the ‘Downton Abbey’ Christmas Special online
Those who are looking to watch the Downton Abbey Christmas Special online can use ITV’s online player. Unfortunately, this only works for people who are in the United Kingdom. Americans will have to wait until the episode airs on PBS.
Downton Abbey season 4 premieres in the United States on January 5.
Hopefully this year’s Downton Abbey Christmas Special won’t be as a shocking as 2012’s during which Matthew Crawley died moments after the birth of he and Lady Mary’s son George.
What do you think will happen on tonight’s episode? Will Lady Mary select a suitor? Will any new relationships develop for anyone upstairs or downstairs? We hope for a big cliffhanger going into season 5, which ITV commissioned in November.
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.