‘Downton Abbey’ season 6: Is Elizabeth McGovern officially on board?

Given that we know now that “Downton Abbey” has been renewed for a sixth season, the timing does seem right for us to start speculating on who will be officially returning to the show. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!)

It has been speculated already that Lily James (Rose) is not going to return in order to better promote her upcoming “Cinderella” feature film, while the final episodes of season 5 suggested that Allen Leech (Tom) and Sophie McShera (Daisy) could also have their characters written out, at least to a certain extent.

While you will probably have to wait until the Christmas Special to receive answers on the status of everyone, one confirmed returnee that we can report on right now is Elizabeth McGovern. Speaking to the Daily Beast, the actress assures us that Lady Cora is not going to be running off with Simon Bricker to start a new life anytime soon (not that we ever thought she would):

“I agreed to commit myself to Season 6, and beyond that, I don’t know … I can’t see the show going on forever because nothing does, but it’s been really great so far.”

There is a particularly great reason for McGovern to stick around the ITV series, at least in that this serves as a fantastic promotional platform for her band, Sadie and the Hotheads. This show has given them a higher profile, and McGovern even did some recording for the new Christmas album inspired by the show.

The new season of “Downton Abbey” will start filming pretty early in the new year, and will premiere on ITV in September, mostly likely. Meanwhile, season 5 will come to America in early January on PBS.

To hear more about the Christmas Special right now, just be sure to head over here. Also, you can sign up today to secure some more TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo via ITV.)