Christmas is nearly upon us, and that means Downton Abbey‘s eagerly-anticipated series 3 Christmas special! Here is a rundown of where the sprawling cast currently is – and where they may be going. Serious potential spoilers ahead!
It’s finally the season to conclude series 3 of Downton Abbey. Here is our refresher course on the past, present and potential future of the Crawley family and beyond.
Up in Scotland
The “First Couple” of Downton Abbey will apparently be busy enjoying the quainter attractions of country life, “a highlight of Robert’s year” according to ITV’s press release. Perhaps more importantly, a recent interview with Laura Carmichael reveals that “for Robert this trip is a reminder of how things used to be done.” Increasingly nostalgic for the pre-war days when he was the unchallenged ruler of the roost, the Earl of Grantham will once again indulge in “big dinners, guns and tiaras for married ladies,” as well as rustic country sports. Will Robert’s time in Duneagle Castle once again turn him away from the modern direction in which his family is moving?
Downton Abbey‘s centerpiece love interest finally tied the knot early in series 3, which almost immediately raised the question of when a new heir would make itself apparent. And despite a certain amount of (very vague and unspecified) difficulty in that department, the sharp-eyed among Downton fans have indeed spotted the telltale signs of a bundle of joy (or in Mary’s case, probably a blend of bliss and sarcasm) from new photos from the episode.
We can only hope that childbearing goes more smoothly for Mary and Matthew than it did for poor Sybil and Branson; such happiness is certainly not guaranteed, however. Rumors have been flying about the couple’s fate ever since Dan Stevens apparently declined to renew his contract for series 4. Stevens is currently appearing on Broadway in The Heiress, and has apparently been cast in a film adaptation of the Wikileaks scandal. We guess we’ll just have to wait and see…
Poor, lonely Edith. Jilted once and for all by the aging Sir Anthony, she is now struggling with the potentially romantic intentions of her newspaper editor, Mr. Gregson. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like a jaunt up to Scotland will put any distance between them, as (according to the press release) Gregson “also happens to be on holiday in Scotland and may not be there just for the sketching and fishing.”
As Lord Grantham and Mary’s personal servants, the newly reunited Bates and Anna will be traveling with the Crawleys to Scotland. (O’Brien and Molesley will come along as well.) After endless trials (literally and figuratively) the couple from downstairs have a chance to start their lives anew, and while there is not much information on what to expect, previews indicate a romantic picnic and (of all things) dancing lessons for Anna.
Hugh and Susan MacClare are lord and lady of Duneagle Castle, where the Crawley family will stay during their holiday. Though (or perhaps because) the MacClares are cousins of the Crawleys, viewers can expect a certain amount of tensions between the English visitors and their hosts, the source of which has not yet been specified.
The free-spirited Lady Rose McClare will also be in residence for the Christmas special. Rose was previously seen wreaking scandal with jazz music and a married man, but her wilder ambitions were (at least temporarily) tamped down by Violet. Perhaps we can hope for another turn-of-the-century beatdown from the ever-acerbic Countess?
Down in Downton
With the Crawleys away, the rulers of Downton’s below-stairs roost might have a little time to relax and enjoy the upcoming country fair. But there will be no rest for Carson, it seems; he is “determined to keep the servants… working hard,” apparently focusing his attention on polishing silverware and housecleaning.
As for Mrs. Hughes (whose unswerving kindness and understanding really stood out in series 3) we have only a few snippets from trailers to learn from. It looks like we can expect her to share a few stern words with new maid Edna, comfort a distraught Branson (it’s about time someone did!) and even have time to join Carson in an adorable moment with baby Sybbie. No matter what the Christmas special brings, Mrs. Hughes: You rock.
Of the downstairs staff, Mrs. Patmore seems to have the most exciting time ahead of her come Christmas. Actress Lesley Nicol says she has long petitioned showrunner Julian Fellowes to involve the house cook in a romance; it seems like her wish has come true, as the official summary suggests “romance in the cards” for Mrs. P. “I thought there might be some comic potential if we saw her suddenly get a bit hot and bothered,” Nicol said in an interview, and we can’t wait to see her proven right!
Once again we are left to sift through promos and stills for snippets of information on Thomas, but it does seem as though the controversial under-butler will be receiving some attention. A preview photo shows Thomas engaged in a game of tug-o-war (not a euphemism) with other members of the servant crew, and a promo showing a beaten and bloodied Thomas recuperating in bed… and then being approached by none other than Jimmy, the footman responsible for so much of Thomas’ anguish in series 3.
What does this mean? Does Jimmy want to bury the hatchet? Has he developed his own feelings for Thomas? Are we reading too much into this? What do you think?
Poor Tom Branson has just about been through Downton Abbey‘s ringer. Tom has struggled with his country, his new family, the loss of his wife Sybil, the Crawleys’ hold on his infant daughter, you name it! And it doesn’t seem like the Christmas special will make his life any easier; though he remains behind at Downton, plenty of anguish appears to be coming his way.
New maid Edna (Myanna Buring), a young woman who “has great faith in the fact that things don’t always have to remain the same” is clearly trying to make advances romantic advances toward Tom, taking him on the fair carousel and then kissing a shirtless Branson in his room. Previews also show a weeping Branson being comforted by Mrs. Hughes – could the two events be related? What does this mean for Tom’s future at Downton? And are we terrible for not being prepared to root for another woman in Branson’s arms, no matter how long it’s really been since Sybil’s death?
ITV’s official summary is coy as ever:
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?
Downton Abbey‘s third series Christmas special will air on ITV at 8:45 p.m. on Dec. 25.