Well-known American actor Paul Giamatti is joining Downton Abbey series 4 to take on a role close to Cora.

Giamatti has signed on to Downton Abbey series 4 to play Harold Levinson, the “maverick, playboy brother of Cora and uncle to Mary and Edith.”

Don’t expect for this to be a recurring role, however. Giamatti will only appear in the Downton Abbey series 4 finale (presumably the Christmas Special). Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame described the character as “free-spirited” and says that he Martha will “upset the Grantham’s apple car” during the finale.

Perhaps Giamatti’s role could bleed into series 5 as well, but it’s too early to say.

Like the Downton Abbey series 3 finale, this one looks to have some drama that may not sit well with Downton’s dwellers or the audience.

Downton Abbey series 4’s air date in the United States is set for January 5, 2014. Strangely, the United Kingdom premiere date has not been unveiled yet. Presumably it will be months before the U.S. air date because of tradition.

American fans were hoping that this series of Downton Abbey would air in the U.S. and U.K. simultaneously, but those plans seemingly never came to fruition.

Downton Abbey series 4 will welcome the show’s first black character played by Gary Carr. Other new characters include a new love interest for Lady Mary.

The show seems to be picking up right where series 3 left of if we read into paparazzi photos taken on the set several months ago. The pics show the Downton family attending a funeral for Matthew who tragically died in a car crash.