A large collection of new behind-the-scenes photos from Downton Abbey season 4 have appeared online, giving fans a sneak peek at what the early days of the upcoming season may bring.
The Daily Mail has gotten a hold of a whole mess of new photos from a recent outdoor shoot for Downton Abbey season 4. The primary settings for the scene (or scenes) captured were the all-too-familiar churchyard of the Abbey’s little chapel, as well as the village road. Though the events of the day did not appear to include a funeral, Dame Maggie Smith (Lady Violet), Penelope Wilton (Isobel), Joanne Frogatt (Anna), and Brendan Coyle (Bates) were all grim in fancy black dress, indicating mourning. Other actors including David Robb (Dr. Clarkson), and a few unfamiliar faces, appeared in more ordinary dress.
Also prominent among the set pieces were the headstones of the recently-departed Matthew Crawley (the presumed mourn-ee, unless there is something else we don’t yet know) and of Lady Sybil. Oh, and Dr. Clarkson’s riding a bicycle; smart man, everyone in Yorkshire has gone off cars, lately. Check out the whole crop of photos right here:
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It is interesting to see Downton Abbey return to the graveyard (not that we’re terribly surprised as it is now the final resting place of four characters) as we’ve heard recently that season 4 will pick up about six months after the events of the season 3 finale. No other major characters were seen on set, so it’s difficult to guess why Violet be visiting the graveyard. And while it makes sense that Matthew’s mother Isobel is still in mourning, it’s intriguing to see Lady Violet continue to wear head-to-toe black for – presumably – her grand-son-in-law. (Or maybe she just does it to save time, after the recent ill-fortune of the Crawley family.)
In any event, it certainly doesn’t seem like many denizens of Downton Abbey will be in particularly happy moods when season 4 begins… but really, what would the show be without a hearty helping of dramatically miserable aristocrats?